Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is 21km from Punakha. Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyel met a young boy named Wangdi playing in the sand by the
Punak Chhu and named the new dzong Wangdi Phodrang (Wangdi's
Palace) which was later changed to Wangdue. The dzong is a
dramatic example of Bhutanese architecture. The structure
follows the contours of a ridge high over the river. The cacti
on the slope were planted to prevent invaders from climbing to
the dzong. The dzong was founded in 1638 by the Shabdrung and
was Bhutan's second capital until Trongsa was founded in1644.
The penlpop of Wangdue Phodrang was the third most powerful
ruler in the country. The dzong controlled the routes to Trongsa,
Punakha, Dagana, and Thimpu. The sole entrance to the dzong is
flanked by large prayer wheels. The Guru Tshengy Thondrol,
depicting Guru Rimpoche is unfurled on the final day of the
autumn tsechu festival. In the main prayer hall there are
statues of Sakyamuni, Guru Rimpoche, and the Shabdrung. The
dzong was repaired after a fire in 1837 and an earthquake in
1897.
