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Bhutan
- Punakha |
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Bhutan District -
Punakha |
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Located at an altitude of 4430
feet above sea level, Punakha had once served as the winter capital
of Bhutan. A
three-hour winding mountain drive from Thimphu will land you in
Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. The route climbs past
the forestry research station at Yusupang, then through apple
orchards and forests of blue pine. A temperate climate and natural
drainage from the phochu(male) and Mochu (female) rivers, the
fertile punakha valley produces abundant crops and fertile punakha
valley produces abundant crops and fruit. Punakha served as the
capital of Bhutan until 1995. |
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Punakha Dzong was strategically built at the
junction of the two rivers in the 17th Century by the first
Shabdrung to serve as the religious and administrative center. In
spit of four catastrophic fires and a devastating earthquake that
destroyed many historic documents, punakha Dzong houses sacred
tempes including the Marchen where the embalmed body of Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal lies in state. The Dzong has been fully restored by
the present king. In 1993 the largest thongdrel,a religious
embroidery composed entirely of appliqué on silk brocade, that has
ever been created was dedicated to the Dzong and the people of the
punakha valley by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Je
Khenpo at a three-day consecration which brought together Bhutan’s
highest nobility. |
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Viewing the scenery and then descend till you reach the Punakha Dzong located between Mochu and Phochu (Male 8 Female)
rivers. The Dzong and the two rivers add exclusively to the scenic
beauty of Punakha valley.
Punakha Dzong:-
The main attraction in Punakha is the Punakha Dzong. It is the winter
residence of the chief abbot and monks, who migrate there from
Thimphu every winter. This dzong is noteworthy both for being one
of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been
built by the first Shabdrung in 1637.
Chhimi Lhakhang:-
it's a 20 minutes walk across fields through the village of Sopsokha
from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the
centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the
temple in 15th century after
the 'divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It
is a pilgrim site for barren women.
Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal:-
It is 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.
Limbhukha:- Drive to the Punakha
Dzong and walk across the suspension bridge. Follow the farmhouses
gradually climbing towards Dompola Hills. The view of the Dzong,
Phochu, Mochu Rivers and the surrounding village is superb amidst
chirpine forest. The climb is another two and half hours to the
Limbhukha. It is also known for its love of peace and tranquility.
The legend say that during the medieval wars the “limpus” or the
people of Limbhukha always volunteered as peace negotiators. This is
depicted during the yearly festival called “Serda” when the men are
found carrying a peace flags instead of swords and fireworks. |
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