Punakha-dzong

• Address: Punakha, Bhutan
• Phone: +975 17 66 99 80
• Opening: 1638
• Height above sea level: 1200 m
• Architectural style: Dzong
• Architect: Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal

Among avid travelers there is an opinion that if at night you randomly can freely get to your bed - it's time to go on a regular trip. After all, it is wanderings through unexplored places that uncover unknown sides in us, check our abilities and endurance, make the brain work, and the heart is filled with inspiration and warmth. If after these lines the spirit of adventurism has awakened in you - pay your attention to the Kingdom of Bhutan . Here a huge mass of things that can surprise, astonish, or even simply shock. In this country, Buddhism is the official religion, and the sacred temples-dzongi serve both the administration, and the school, and the monastery. One of these shrines will be discussed in this article, namely about Punakha-dzong.

General information about the monastery

Punakha Dzong is considered to be the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan . And as soon as the sightseeing bus will drive you to the gates of the temple, it comes to the realization that this place is not in vain! Even the religious leader of Bhutan appreciated this dzong, having chosen it as the winter residence. Thanks to the mild climate and wonderful nature, you want to stay here forever. Just imagine this landscape: the quiet and enchanting noise of the Mo-Cho and Pho-Chu rivers, at the confluence of which is a monastery, pomposity and greenery of mountain slopes, with peaks in the fog of clouds. In this place you feel as if your whole body breathes this beauty, is saturated, getting rid of the suffocating stench of noisy megacities.

Quite entertaining fact is related to the name of the fortress. Its full name sounds like Puntang-Lechen-Phortrang-Dzong, which literally translates as "palace of happiness." And it is here that the administrative body unique to the CIS countries is located - the Ministry of Happiness.

To understand all the impressiveness of Punakha-dzong, let's talk in the language of figures. A temple was built in the first half of the 17th century, and its founder was Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, whose appearance was predicted by the great Guru Rinpoche himself. The monastic complex is 180 meters long and 72 meters wide. Punakha Dzong is located at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level.

What is interesting about this dzong for travelers?

What is really interesting Punakha Dzong in Bhutan , so this is its structure. From the side the monastery looks like a formidable and impregnable fortress. Partly it is, because the ways of retreat in case of danger here are thought out very sensibly. Even a quite solid bridge, which you need to go through to get into the fortress, is easily subject to self-destruction. However, such a fort that was unapproachable for people turned out to be an easy prey in the hands of nature. It is because of the turbulence of the elements that the Punakha-dzong has suffered many times from destruction and again recovered. Fires, floods, the convergence of the rock - and yet industrious monks rebuilt the Bhutan shrine.

The height of the fortress is about 20 m. Monolithic sheer walls only add to the construction of pomposity and majesty. The monastery itself leads two rows of stairs, overcoming which you find yourself in a wonderful inner courtyard, also known in Buddhism as a daughter. By the way, there are three of them in Punakha Dzong.

One of them is intended for administrative functions. It is in this courtyard that the chorten is located - a construction of religious character, which necessarily crowns the Bodhi tree. The second courtyard is at the disposal of the monks. Here there are living rooms, and from the administrative part they are separated by yuts - a small tower-temple. The third daughter is the holy of holies of the monastery. It is reserved exclusively for spiritual needs. Here is the main temple of Punakha-dzong, in which are stored all the ancient artifacts and shrines. What is characteristic, the entrance is open to only two custodians - the king himself and the main monk of Bhutan.

By the way, you can see not only the building of the monastery. 108 volumes of Kanjur are stored here, tourists can also admire the memorial church of Maciej-Lakhang and the mausoleum of Shabdrung.

To the tourist on a note

It is easy to come to the conclusion that Punakha-dzong plays an important role in the life of Bhutan. Therefore, here for tourists there are a number of strict rules. Here are some of them:

1. You can not enter the dzong territory without proper permits. Therefore, for the trip you need to prepare in advance, charging your guide to go through all the bureaucratic processes.
2. If your guide does not have the appropriate license to provide tourist services - the entrance is also prohibited.
3. Proper appearance. Shorts, T-shirts, T-shirts and even a hat - are unacceptable. They say that even tourists with an umbrella are not allowed in here.
4. Patios and neighborhoods are allowed to take pictures. But at the entrance to the temple all photo and video equipment will have to be disconnected.
5. When you visit some shrines you will be asked to take off your shoes.
6. Lack of toilets. Yes, here you are not Europe, so you will have to suffer, but it's worth it.
7. In Punakha-dzong it is often possible to meet individuals of royal blood or important ranks. In this case, you require an expression of deepest respect.

How to get there?

Punakha-dzong is located in the homonymous city , which was once the capital of Bhutan. But even if you live in this village, you just can not walk on foot - all visits are only with a guide. From other cities ( Thimphu , Paro ) you can only go by sightseeing buses provided by your tour operator.