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| Punakha Dzong |
The Nomenclature and
Terminology.
The
fortress of Punakha or ‘Punakha Castle Monastery’ or Pungthang
Dewai Chenpoi Phodrang, was second in line to be built by Lam Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637.
The Dzong has several nomenclature given in the periods of history. The
fortress is called as Chhu-Zom Dzong (meaning: Fortress at
the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu) or Pungthang Dewai Chhenpoi Phodrang
or Pungthang
Dechen Phodrang Dzong (meaning: The
Glorious Palace of Happiness). Today, the name has been shortened and
widely known as Punakha Dzong. It is strategically situated between and at the
confluence of two rivers, believed to be of different gender (Male and Female
river) - Pho Chhu (Male River) on
the right side and Mo Chhu (Female
River) on the left, which are the fed by the snow-capped mountains. This
fortress is located few kilometres from the Khuruthang Town.
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| Punakha Dzong |
Historical Significance
The
fortress was built with the help of hundreds of native artisans and builders as
well as from the neighbouring countries. Among them, Newari artisans of Nepal
have considerable extend of the contribution made in the construction of the
fortress. There are several anecdotes related to the building of the Punakha
Dzong. Supernatural powers was to be credited in the completion of the
Dzong. According to the oral sources of
history, Zhabdrung Rinpochhe was helped by a Bhutanese Architect Zow Balip (Zow- the term equivalent
to Carpenter in Bhutanese terms and, Balip-belonging to the village of Bali)[1].
It was said that, the supernatural power of Zhabdrung Rinpochhe led the Zow to
the Zangdopelri
(Copper-Coloured Palace of Guru Rinpochhe) in the dream, to get the design of
the structure from the paradise. Upon the architect’s return from his visual
journey, Zhabdrung Rinpochhe instructed him to have the fortress in the same
design he witnessed in the paradise. Fulfilling the celestial order of
Zhabdrung Rinpochhe, the fortress was believed to have the replica of the
Zangdopelri.
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The
fortress played important role in the political history of the country. Although
Lama Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal introduced the Choe-sid Nyidhen (Dual
Governance System) few years after his arrival in the country, the actual
institution of the Choe-sid Nyidhen- i.e. Spiritual and Temporal Rule under Desi
(Temporal/Secular Ruler) and Je Khenpo (Religious Ruler) began at
the Punakha Dzong. It became the centre of government functions. Besides the use
of fortress as religious centre and administrative functions, it also played a
protective role during the Tibetan invasions. The fortress provided defending victory
against the Tibetan invasions.
The
fortress house the Machey (embalmed body of Zhabdrung) which is the main treasure
and it depicts the religiosity of the structure as well as historical
importance. The dramatic symbolism of victory against Tibetan attacks can be
witness during the annual exhibition called Punakha Domchoe and Tshechu
(Annual Festival).
Punakha Dzong
Reviewed by Drukpa
on
2:13 AM
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Reviewed by Drukpa
on
2:13 AM
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