Punakha Dzong (monastery) is often called the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. And I have to agree. It’s one of my very very favorite sights in the whole country.
The dzong sits on the confluence of two rivers. This coming together of two rivers is actually thought to be inauspicious, so anything that can be done to reverse that fortune (such as building stupas, stringing prayer flags or building a dzong) is well worth the effort.
The Bhutanese went all out when they built this dzong in the late 1630’s. It’s the second oldest and also the second largest dzong in Bhutan and its full name (Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong) means “the palace of great happiness or bliss.” Indeed. I certainly feel great bliss when visiting.
Because the weather in Punakha is warmer than in the capital, Thimphu, it is the winter home to the head abbot of the country as well as a whole cadre of monks (they return to Thimphu in the summer).
When we visited last month, we arrived at a time when not only the main temple, but another smaller building, was filled with chanting monks. This was extremely unusual. The monks were chanting to honor the passing of any parents they had lost over the last year. See, monks are not allowed to leave the dzong, even when their parents die, so the ceremonial chanting was meant as a time for everyone to honor their deceased mothers and fathers.
The complex includes the main temple, a large prayer hall, an administrative center and the monks’ living quarters. It’s the only dzong in Bhutan that has three courtyards. And the main temple houses three large gilded statues. These include Buddha, Guru Rinpoche (who brought Buddhism to Bhutan) and Shapdrung (considered to be the unifier of Bhutan in the early 1600’s. Unfortunately, as with all monasteries and temples in Bhutan, you cannot take photos inside. I appreciate this but it kills me because these interiors are so absolutely beautiful and I want to share them with others. (Perhaps that’s their way of increasing tourism!)
I must have done something right in a past life because I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled to Bhutan eight times now. And every time I’m just as awestruck and childlike as the first time. There’s always something new to discover and new experiences to be had.
We’re more than half full on our women-only tour to Bhutan this fall so if you’re interested in joining us, I’d urge you not to hesitate in registering!
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Women-only Tours to Bhutan
Food in Bhutan
Heavenly Bhutan Travels says
I agree with you, nicely written about Punakha Dzong. Just a small thing, Dzong is not monastery but it is fortress