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Places of interest in Punakha

Punakha Dzong

The second of Bhutan’s dzongs was prophesied by Guru Rimpoche. The Shabdrung began construction in 1637 and the dzong was completed a year later. It was called Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). A chapel was added later to celebrate a victory over the Tibetans in 1639. The dzong was seat of the government while Punakha was the capital and the third king convened the new National Assembly here in 1953. The dzong is the winter residence of the Dratsang (Central Monk Body).

After fires in 1750 and 1798 several temples were built including Lama Lhakhang which houses a statue of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Gemkhang Chhenpo which is the temple of Mahakali and Mahkala, and Nange Tseum which houses the relics of saints. Machey Lhakhang houses the remains the Shabdrung. The ‘one hundred pillar hall’ has exceptional murals. Bhutan’s most treasured statue, the Rangjung Kharsapani, which the Shabdrung brought from Tibet is housed in the Nag Yul Bum temple.

Chimmi Lhakhang

Chimmi Lhakhang lies on the periphery of the expansive valley of Lobesa where the borders of borders of Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdiphodrang districts meet. Chimmi Lhakhang is known for its fertility blessing. Lobesa means either “Place of Return” or “Beautiful Place”. There are various interpretations related to both the meanings- all of them different. Given the scenic and breathtaking beauty of Lobesa though, a visitor would be rather inclined to believe that the latter meaning holds true.
Perched atop a little hillock overlooking the Puna Tshangchu river belt, Chimmi Lhakhang is auspiciously surrounded by nine khas or villages. A brisk 15-minute walk through the two villages will lead a visitor straight to the Lhakhang.
All crops grow and thrive well here. Farmers of this region are in fact among the most well-to-do in Bhutan. They attribute this to the blessing of Lam Drukpa Kuenley or, as he is popularly known, the ‘Divine Madman.’

Kamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal, a three-storey chorten built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon in 1999 for the protection of the country, stands on a beautiful hillock called Ngezergang, and is about 6 miles from Punakha. It presents an incredibly complex iconography, which belongs to the Nyingmapa tradition.

Wangdiphodrang Dzong

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is 21km from Punakha. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel met a young boy named Wangdi playing in the sand by the Puna Tsang Chhu and named the new dzong Wangdi Phodrang (Wangdi’s Palace). 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.

Additionally, Punakha valley is a birders paradise. We will arrange a tour up the Pho chu valley for those interested to see the extremely rare and critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis).