PUNAKHA (OLD CAPITAL OF BHUTAN)

Punakha Dzong or the Punthang Dechen Phodrang was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.  However, the site had already been occupied as far back as 1328 by a saint, Ngagi Rinchen, who built a temple there which can still be seen today opposite the great Dzong and which is called the Dzongchung meaning the ‘little dzong’. In addition, Guru Rinpoche blessed the site in the eight century and issued a prophecy which said that ‘on the front edge of the hill that looks like an elephant’s trunk, a man name Namgyel will come and build a fortress’.

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“Happiness is a place.” ― Bhutan