Punakha Bhutan

If I have to express calmness, serenity, spirituality, happiness and peace in one word then it would be Punakha. A monastery cradled among the lofty hills of Bhutan and swept by the water of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, Punakha Dzong is the erstwhile capital of Bhutan and undoubtedly the most picturesque Dzong in Bhutan. Punakha is regarded in high esteem and all the major ceremonies of the Bhutanese Royal family including coronation and the king’s wedding took place here.

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Pho Chu and Mo Chu are the two rivers flowing adjacent to the Dzong. Legend has it that Mo Chu is the mother and Pho Chu is the son (Father in different opinion) and they confluence near Punakha Dzong. Punakha is roughly 80kms from Thimphu and it took us almost 3 hours to reach.

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IMG_20171025_112355514_HDRThe interior of Punakha bears authentic Bhutanese wooden architecture. It is replete with intricate designs owing to Buddhist traditions. Each year the biggest festival of Bhutan is also held in the humongous courtyard of Punakha Dzong. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

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The major attraction for me in Punakha was the wooden bridge that leads to the Dzong. If you are fond of photography then this bridge is the best place to get click happy.

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This post is part of ‘#WanderfulWednesday’. If you have a travel story to share do link up. Link your post to this post and just leave a comment with your post link and I will get back to you.

24 thoughts on “Punakha Bhutan”

  2. arv! says:
    Reply

    More than anything I loved the building. Painting and the work on wood is impressive. The strong contrast of white paint and wood makes for a great photograph too.Im sure your experience must have been great

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dr leela bose says:
    Reply

    Awesome…the beauty of Phunaka is breathtaking..which you hav nicely woven in your words Tina…waiting to read more of such experiences …travelling and exploring new places is liberating..looking forward to read such beautiful writeups…way to go..Tina

    Liked by 1 person

    • Balaka says:
      Reply

      Thanks a ton Leela…we went to Punakha only because of your suggestion. Wish to go there again during the season of cherry blossom
      Thanks so much for reading and commenting dear.

      Like

  5. Esha M Dutta says:
    Reply

    What a beautiful place this is, Tina! The photos were amazing…I almost felt i was traveling from my living room itself. The architecture is just awesome…especially the carvings on the wood. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post. I have in mind a plan to visit this beautiful country sometime in the coming year or so.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Zainab says:
    Reply

    Will It be a good time to visit in a Dec ? That’s the only time we happen to travel. Bhutan has been on the cards for awhile. Lovely pics and does look soothing and peaceful.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Balaka says:
      Reply

      If you are okay with cold then December is good. In fact you would be lucky to get some snowfall also. Punakha is at a lower altitude. It is warmer however Thimpu would be too cold.

      Like

  9. Sherab Tenzin says:
    Reply

    Hi Balaka,

    You have indeed knew many things about Punakha and its rivers more than Bhutanese like me, feeling guilty here. If you have visited it in monsoon, you can have an experience of rafting in these two rivers. Hope you visit again.

    Liked by 1 person

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