3. Punakha

Punakha

Punakha is one of the 20 districts of Kingdom of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong is one of the most historic Dzongs in the whole country. Built by Zhabdrung Ngwang Namgyal in the 17th century, it is located between the confluence of two rivers: Pho(male) chhu and Mo(female) chhu. Punakha Dzong, the administrative and religious centre of the district, is the winter home of Bhutan’s Central Monk Body. Since the 1680’s the Dzong has also been the site of a continuous vigil over the earthly body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the country, which lies in a special chamber in the Dzong. Punakha was the formal capital of Bhutan during the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.