Punakha Dzong

The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang meaning the palace of great happiness was designed and constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38. Zhabdrung commissioned Zow Balep, a carpenter to construct the dzong and the story goes that the design of the dzong was planted in his dream by Zhabdrung taking him to Tibet Ralung to see the Copper Palace (Zangdopelri). It is one of the most beautiful and picturesque dzongs with a setting surrounded by 2 rivers pho chu and mo chu on either side to add to its grandeur a cantilever bridge that connects to the dzong ties the flow of movement from one side of the river to the other. The dzong is about 180 m long and 72 m wide and the utse(central tower) is 6 stories high. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀

The Dzong is a fortress that has one entrance and exit to control circulation. The dzong architecture has an interesting concept of adding and expanding, making the dzong grow with time like nature taking over a landscape. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀

The architecture welcomes you by stepping up the steep wooden ladder which brings you to the foyer of the entrance, where an open courtyard welcomes anyone who thought Bhutanese architecture is all about steep steps. The first courtyard is the biggest of 3, and one could imagine the construction of the structures and how many plinths the builders had to lift. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀

As you are put in awe of architecture it makes you go through a small passage that connects to the 2nd courtyard which opens up to the entrance of the Utse, and most will not take note of how dramatic the play of spaces is here and this leads to the 3rd courtyard where it houses the main temple complex and treasures. The Kunrey is my favorite place as the light inside the space travels into time as if everything there comes to a still; looking at the high ceiling beams running across the long span and it’s a wonder how at those times did the builder manage to span the timber structure that long, and to that amazement, you are taken back into time, an aura of calm and peace; maybe that’s why it’s called the palace of great happiness or bliss.