Punakha, Bhutan

Описание: Video with images of Punakha dzong in a mountain valley on a spot where the Po river and the Mo river come together. It is one of the lowest places in Bhutan. Because of its mild climate it was for many centuries a winter capital. Each autumn the government moved to Punakha in a procession which took several days. At the beginning of the last century the first king was crowned in Punakha. In Punakha he signed a treaty with the British who declared that they would not meddle with domestic affairs. In the second half of the last century the government moved to Thimphu.

Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong was built in 1637 by shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is one of the largest in the country. In the past a cantilever bridge across the Mo river and the Po river led to the dzong. The bridge has been destroyed however by a flood in the last century and the Mo river is now spanned by a cable suspension bridge. The dzong was damaged by fire several times. At the end of the nineteenth century an earthquake caused more damage. In the second half of the last century a glacial lake burst and the flood caused new damage to the dzong that has since been repaired.

A steep wooden stair at the front was designed to be pulled up in case of danger. A heavy wooden door is still closed at night. Instead of the usual two docheys the dzong has three courtyards. Along the first courtyard are the administrative offices. The second courtyard with the central tower is in the monastic quarter. The central tower is six floors high and has a golden dome. In the third courtyard is a temple with the remains of the first shabdrung. Here is the residence of the Je Khenpo as well as a large congregation hall with many pillars and massive statues.