When Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal was at Chimmi Lhakhang (The Fertility Temple) in Punakha, an old man approached him and told if he could built dzong on a ridge that resemble a sleeping elephant for that he could unite the country. Zhabdrung then surmising old man to be Yeshey Gonpo (Mahakala) sent a noble to study the location.
The noble reported that he saw four ravens circling the ridge, which flew away in four different directions when he approached. Taking this to be a good omen, Zhabdrung constructed the dzong in 1638 named Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.
Wangdue Dzong has 14 temples, including Kunrey (assembly hall of monks). The Goenkhang has a figure of gonpo (Mahakala) carved on a stone slab. Wangdue Dzong was burned down on 24 June 2012. It is believed that an electrical short circuit caused the fire.