Continued from "Drive from Dochula Pass to Punakha"...
Punakha is the winter capital of Bhutan. The Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers make the Punakha vallery fertile. The Pho Chu river receives water from the northern hills of Lighsi and Laya; the Mo Chu receives water from glaciers in the Lunana region. The main river is known as Puna Tsang Chu. The paddy fields add glamour to the place.
In 1637, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal constructed the famous Punakha Dzong at the confluence of these two rivers. The Dzong serves both as a religious and administrative center. From an angle, the hill looks like an elephant trunk. People also believe that the architect, Zowe Palep, had a dream in which he visioned the complete architecture of the Dzong, and constructed as per this vision. This Dzong has survived earthquakes and fires.
The wooden cantilever bridge installed to cross the Mo Chu river is very beautiful. I loved watching the river below. After rotating a prayer wheel at the beginning of the bridge, I walked the bridge. For me, walking on this bridge was a romantic experience. The greenery, the rivers, the mountain ranges, the valley, the zero-pollution environment, and the silence are something that seized my senses, and cleaned my aura.
After climbing the stairs of the main entrance, I was greeted by the colorful paintings of the Gurus. The prayer wheels looked like pillars holding the main entrance. The paintings of the Four Friends and the Wheel of Life adorn the walls.
A White stupa greeted me, as I entered the main portion of the Dzong. The courtyard is surrounded by the beautifully decorated wooden structure/balconies. The Dzong is divided into two sections - Administrative and Religious. Tourists are strictly prohibited from entering the Administrative section. The religious section is open for public; please remove your footwear before entering the sanctum. The inner sanctum is absolutely gorgeous with the Buddha and the gurus.
There's a shrine built for Tsomen, a mermaid-like spirit, who supplied rocks from the river to build the dzong. A butter-lamp is lit in front of the shrine and rock offerings are made. The painting of Tsomen and a rock can be seen inside the sanctum.
In Bhutanese culture, every element of nature is given importance. They respect legends as well. I loved listening to the legends. :-)
TIP - Dressing Etiquette: Remember to dress appropriately when visiting a dzong. Idea is to cover your body completely except your face, hands, and feet. Wear long length clothes and full-armed tops/shirts/jackets. No need to cover the head. Also remember to never ring a bell, if you see one!
Regards,
Asha
Punakha is the winter capital of Bhutan. The Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers make the Punakha vallery fertile. The Pho Chu river receives water from the northern hills of Lighsi and Laya; the Mo Chu receives water from glaciers in the Lunana region. The main river is known as Puna Tsang Chu. The paddy fields add glamour to the place.
In 1637, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal constructed the famous Punakha Dzong at the confluence of these two rivers. The Dzong serves both as a religious and administrative center. From an angle, the hill looks like an elephant trunk. People also believe that the architect, Zowe Palep, had a dream in which he visioned the complete architecture of the Dzong, and constructed as per this vision. This Dzong has survived earthquakes and fires.
The wooden cantilever bridge installed to cross the Mo Chu river is very beautiful. I loved watching the river below. After rotating a prayer wheel at the beginning of the bridge, I walked the bridge. For me, walking on this bridge was a romantic experience. The greenery, the rivers, the mountain ranges, the valley, the zero-pollution environment, and the silence are something that seized my senses, and cleaned my aura.
After climbing the stairs of the main entrance, I was greeted by the colorful paintings of the Gurus. The prayer wheels looked like pillars holding the main entrance. The paintings of the Four Friends and the Wheel of Life adorn the walls.
A White stupa greeted me, as I entered the main portion of the Dzong. The courtyard is surrounded by the beautifully decorated wooden structure/balconies. The Dzong is divided into two sections - Administrative and Religious. Tourists are strictly prohibited from entering the Administrative section. The religious section is open for public; please remove your footwear before entering the sanctum. The inner sanctum is absolutely gorgeous with the Buddha and the gurus.
There's a shrine built for Tsomen, a mermaid-like spirit, who supplied rocks from the river to build the dzong. A butter-lamp is lit in front of the shrine and rock offerings are made. The painting of Tsomen and a rock can be seen inside the sanctum.
In Bhutanese culture, every element of nature is given importance. They respect legends as well. I loved listening to the legends. :-)
TIP - Dressing Etiquette: Remember to dress appropriately when visiting a dzong. Idea is to cover your body completely except your face, hands, and feet. Wear long length clothes and full-armed tops/shirts/jackets. No need to cover the head. Also remember to never ring a bell, if you see one!
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| Punakha Dzong in its best elements |
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| A glimpse of the dzong from the road |
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| Punakha Dzong |
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| The bridge tower |
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| The cantilever bridge to Punakha Dzong |
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| The Mo Chu river flowing under the bridge |
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| The dzong entrance |
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| Paintings |
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| Paintings |
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| The prayer wheel |
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| The stupa |
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| The wooden structures inside the dzong |
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| At the dzong complex |
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| The Tsomen shrine |
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| The religious section |
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| A glimpse at the artistic work |
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| Thirsty pigeons |
Asha
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