The festival is known for the unique and sacred dance performed by the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. It gathers thousands of devotees from around across the country who comes to witness the sacred and unique dances held in the Punakha valley.
Things to see in Punakha
- Punakha Dzong
- Chimi Lhakhang
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery
- Limbukha
- Talo
- Punakha Ritsha Village
- Nalanda Buddhist College
why was Punakha dzong built?
Pung Thang Dewachepoi Phodrang or ''The Fortress of Great Bliss'' was built in 1637 under the command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in between the “The Male Phochu River” and “The Female Mochu River” and it is accessible crossing the traditional cantilever bridge suspended over “The Female River”.
The design is believed to resemble the copper abode of Guru Rinpoche, the second Lord Buddha and it is an example of one of the country’s finest architectural design works.
Like the fortresses everywhere in Bhutan, it has some of the important government offices of the Punakha district and has a monastic body inside the fortress. The courtyard is being shared between the monastic body and the administrative section and it is the winter residence for the Thimphu monastic body.
Brief information on Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu
The popular annual mask dance festival called Punakha Drubchen Festival known for its unique dance which is the portrayal of the final battle fought with the Tibetan forces is held inside the courtyard of this magnificent fortress.
Brief information on Rangjung Kharsapani & Tshechu
The famous dance portrays how the Tibetan forces who fought several battles with Bhutan for a relic called “Rangjung kharsapani” the self-formed image of Boddhisattva of compassion called “Chenrezig” which was formed on the vertebrae of Tsangpa Gyarey, an important Buddhist master when he was cremated. He founded the Drukpa Kagyu form of Buddhism which is the official religion of Bhutan.
Drukpa Kagyu is a form of Buddhism which is the official religion of Bhutan
The opera-like act describes the important relic pretended to throw in the river. It was not the real relic but it was carefully made to resemble the original one which was made out of dough. The Tibetans immediately withdrew their armies and found no use waging war against the Bhutanese troops anymore and this is how the battle ended.
It has detailed wood carvings and the central tower called “Utse” is six-storied tall but not accessible as it has several smaller chapels inside it where the monks practice their meditations and perform their daily rituals
