Punakha Dzong

Panoramic view of the Puna Tsang Chu River below Punakha Dzong	Punakha Dzong, built at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu Rivers	Pho Chhu (Father River) and Mo Chhu (Mother River) join here to form the Puna Tsang Chu River	Punakha Dzong - the "Palace of Great Happiness"
Panoramic view of Punakha Dzong from across the river	Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive sights in Bhutan	Punakha Dzong	Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest of Bhutan's fortress-monasteries
Punakha Dzong was the capital of Bhutan until 1955	Panoramic view of Punakha Dzong from the south	Punakha Dzong - constructed 1637-38	Dennis with the Punakha Dzong
The river eventually joins the Bramaputra in India	Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter home of Bhutan's spiritual leader, the Je Khenpo	Punakha Dzong was enlarged in the mid-18th Century	Punakha Dzong was damaged by earthquake and fire many times, most recently in 1986
The first King of Bhutan was coronated at Punakha Dzong in 1907	The spire on the central tower (utse) was added in 1676	The Central Tower, or Utse, of Punakha Dzong - six stories high	In 1910, the British signed a treaty here agreeing to not interfere with Bhutan's internal affairs
The Central Tower is on the left (north) rather than in the middle	Punakha Dzong's temple is in the middle and the assembly hall on the right (south)	Panoramic view of Punakha Dzong from across the river	Punakha Dzong is 180m long and has three courtyards
Panoramic view of Punakha Dzong from the river bank	Lucky for me, there were plenty of breaks in the cloud	High clouds over a panoramic view of Punakha Dzong	Central Tower of Punakha Dzong
Temple and Assembly Hall of Punakha Dzong rising above the outer walls	Punakha Dzong - the most impressive of Bhutan's fortress-monasteries	The occasional flood due to bursting glacial lakes has also caused occasional damaging floods	Punakha Dzong is associated with the souther Drukpa School of Mahayana Buddhism
Punakha Dzong	The Central Tower of Punakha Dzong	Punakha Dzong	Punakha Dzong was restored using the 13 traditional crafts of the Zorig Chusum with funding by the Governments of Bhutan & India
Traditional cantilever bridge opened in 2008 to replace one washed away by flood in 1957	The first bridge across the Mo Chu was built in the 17th C.	Monks relaxing on the banks of the Mo Chu across from Punakha Dzong	It's a very long motorbike ride from Poland to Bhutan!
Polish bikers in Bhutan	Dzong Chug (Little Dzong), built in 1328 by Ngagi Rinchen	Dzong Chug, the northern bastion of Punakha Dzong	Dzongchung, the northern bastion of Punakha Dzong
Punakha Dzong from the bridge	Crossing the bridge, Punakha Dzong	Punakha Dzong	Dennis, Punakha Dzong
Dennis, Punakha Dzong	Punakha Dzong	Punakha Dzong from the base of the bridge	Traditional Bhutanese architecture uses similar details whether it's a fortress or a farm house
Main Entrance on the north side of Punakha Dzong	Main Entrance on the north side of Punakha Dzong	Main Entrance on the north side of Punakha Dzong	The main entrance to Punakha Dzong
The main entrance to Punakha Dzong on the north side of the fortress near the bridge	Entrance to Punakha Dzong with steel ladders	Steep stairs leading into Punakha Dzong	Dennis, Punakha Dzong
Yard between the main entrance to Punakha Dzong and the northern bastion, Dzong Chug	View from the Main Entrance of Punakha Dzong looking across to the Little Dzong	Dennis with the Little Dzong	Dennis with the Little Dzong
Kalachakra Tantra - the Tenfold Powerful One	Large prayer wheel at the entrance to Punakha Dzong	Namthosey, the golden guardian king of the north, Punakha Dzong	Celestial Being Rising from the Sea, perhaps the Buddhist version of a Mermaid
Bhutan2009 2027.jpg	Prayer wheel watched over by Yulkhorsung, the guardian king of the east, lord of celestial musicians	Spinning prayer wheel, Punakha Dzong	Always spin the prayer wheel clockwise, the same direction that you should circumambulate Buddhist temples
Prayer wheel watched over by Yulkhorsung, the guardian king of the east, lord of celestial musicians	Aerial yoga, Punakha Dzong	Bhutan2009 2041.jpg	Bhutan2009 2042.jpg
Bhutan2009 2043.jpg	The Four Harmonious Friends, a popular topic of for murals in Bhutanese Buddhism	The Five Harmonious Friends	Wheel of Life with the 12 animals of the Zodiac
Gallery of Enlightened Beings over the head of Yama, Lord of Death	Chana Dorji (Vajrapani), protector of the Buddha	Bhutan2009 2050.jpg	White stupa in the northern courtyard, Punakha Dzong
Northern Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	White Stupa, Punakha Dzong	Chorten of the First Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Chorten of the First Courtyard, Punakha Dzong
First Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	First Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Sacred Bodhi Tree in the First Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Administrative center of Punakha Dzong - the First (Northern) Courtyard
Administrative center of Punakha Dzong - the First (Northern) Courtyard	Carved bannister of the upper gallery, Punakha Dzong	Carved bannister of the upper gallery, Punakha Dzong	First Courtyard, Punakha Dzong
The utse (central tower) separates the first and second courtyards	Beautifully painted carved bannister around the upper gallery, first courtyard, Punakha Dzong	First Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Our guide to the wonders of Bhutan, Tandin Dorji
Punakha Dzong - Shrine to the Queen of the Naga Spirits	What looks like weather-worn stones - Shrine to the Queen of the Naga Spirits	Passageway, Punakha Dzong	Central Courtyard of Punakha Dzong with 4 large murals
The Wheel of Life held by Yama, the Lord of Death	Wheel of Life - Six Realms - World of Hell	Wheel of Life - Six Realms - World of Animals	Wheel of Life - Six Realms - World of Humans
Wheel of Life - Six Realms - World of Devas (Gods), Realm of Spiritual Complacency	Wheel of Life - Six Realms - World of Asuras (Demi-gods)	Wheel of Life - Six Realms - World of Pretas (Hungry Ghosts)	Samsara - 3 Mental Poisons - Cock (desirous attachment), Snake (hatred & aggression), Pig (ignorance & confusion)
Yama, the Lord of Death, reminds us of our impermanence	Wheel of Life detail from the sextant of Hell	The Wheel of Life is also called the Wheel of Deluded Existance	Bhutan2009 2080.jpg
Bhutan2009 2081.jpg	Phagkepo, the Guardian King of the South, blue with a sword in his right hand	Dennis, Punakha Dzong	Bhutan2009 2086.jpg
The Six Symbols of Longevity, a mural at Punakha Dzong	Pillar covered with hammered plate	Pillar with Tak Seng Chung Druk - the Four Powerful Animals	One of six gilded pillars, Central Courtyard
Garuda, Snow Leopard, Dragon	Detail of the Garuda and Snow Leopard	The Central Courtyard of Punakha Dzong	Central Courtyard - 8 Auspicious Offering Bowls
Punakha Dzong - 8 Auspicious Offering Bowls	Carving detail of the Central Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Central Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Central Courtyard
Central Couryard from the upper gallery, Punakha Dzong	Central Couryard from the upper gallery, Punakha Dzong	Hammered metal disk with the Kalachakra Tantra - the Tenfold Powerful One	Painted ceiling over the arcade linking the central and southern courtyards
Southern Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Upper gallery of the Southern Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Kuenrey, the temple of Punakha Dzong, Southern Courtyard	Kuenrey, the temple of Punakha Dzong, Southern Courtyard
Woodcarving, Southern Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Painting of two dragons holding the Khorlo Wheel	Southern Courtyard, Punakha Dzong	Unfortunately, Bhutan does not allow photos inside the temples