Punakha Dzong or ‘Palace of Great Happiness or bliss’, built at the junction of the Phochu (Male) and Mochu (Female) rivers, in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The dzong is second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of the majestic structures. This majestic Dzong served as both the religious and the administrative centre of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here!
The dzong houses the scared relics of the southern Drukpa lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani; the self-created image of Avalokiteswara that miraculously emerged from the vertebrae of Tsangpa Gyarey, the founder of the Drukpa School when he was cremated. The dzong was administrative centre and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955.
October 13, 2011 marked an unforgettable wedding of the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to Jetsun Pema which was held at Punakha Dzong. It is an especially beautiful sight on sunny days with sunlight reflecting off the water onto its white-washed walls.