Ø Punakha Dzong
Ø It stands at the
confluence of the Phochu and Mo Chhu rivers in Punakha.
Ø Before zhabdrung’s
visit a small temple existed which was built in the 14th century. It
is located outside the dzong and is called the Dzongchhung.
Ø The Dzong has been damaged several times over the centuries. The strong
fires in 1780, 1789, 1802, 1831, 1849 and 1986, a massive earthquake in 1897
and a devastating flash flood in 1994 almost devastated the Punakha dzong.
Ø The Dzongchhung housing the images of the Jhou and Dupthob Nagi Rinchhen
was nearly washed away in the flood.
Ø To fulfill the prophesies of Guru Rimpoche, Zhabdrung laid the foundation
for the dzong in 1637.
Ø Zow Balep was made to
construct the dzong. He was asked to sleep in the Dzongchhung before Buddha’s
image. Zow fell asleep and saw a vision of the future Dzong he was to build. He
was helped by many deities in the area. The protecting deity of Nobgang
together with a female deity, Dorichum, the lady of stones, supplied the stones
needed for the structure.
Ø In 1639, the dzong was
attacked by the Tibetans supported by five group of lamas. To celebrate the
victory over the Tibetans, a Goenkhang was built in 1645.
Ø It has played an
important role in history of Bhutan because;
Ø Gongsar Ugyen
Wangchuck, Bhutan’s first king was crowned in the punakha Dzong in 1907.
Ø It was the winter
capital of Bhutan till 1955.
Ø Machey (sacred embalmed
body) of Zhabdrung Rimpoche is preserved in the Machey Lhakhang of the Dzong.
Ø The first session of
the national Assembly was also held in the dzong in 1953.
Ø 5. The Dzong is still
the winter residence of the Jekhenpo and the central monk body.
Ø It was named Pungthang
Dechen Phodrang Dzong meaning “the Palace of Great Bliss”
Ø Wangduephodrang Dzong
Ø Zhabdrung was at Chimmi Lhakhang in Punakha when he met a weak old man.
An old man described a ridge in present day Wangduephodrang as a ‘sleeping
elephant’ and told Zhabdrung that he would unite the country by building a
dzong.
Ø Zhabdrung guess the old man to be Yeshey Gonpo, took his suggestion and
sent his representative to study the area.
Ø As the representative drew close to the area, he saw four ravens circling
above the ridge. When he arrived the ridge, the birds flew in four directions.
Ø On returning to Chimmi Lhakhang, he reported everything to Zhabdrung. So,
he took this as a good omen and immediately started the construction of the
Dzong in 1639 and named it Wangduephodrang Dzong, “wangdue” meaning “to bring
under one’s power.
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