Punakha District

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Location of Punakha dzongkhag within Bhutan.
Location of Punakha dzongkhag within Bhutan.
The Mo Chhu flowing alongside Punakha Dzong.
The Mo Chhu flowing alongside Punakha Dzong.

Punakha (སྤུ་ན་ཁ་) is one of the 20 dzongkhag (districts) comprising Bhutan.

Punakha Dzong, the administrative and religious center of the district, is the winter home of Bhutan's Central Monk Body. Since the 1680's the dzong has also been the site of a continuous vigil over the earthly body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the country, which lies in a special chamber in the dzong.Punakha dzong was the capital of Bhutan during the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Punakha Dzong is one of the most historic dzongs in the whole country. Built by Zhabdrung Ngwang Namgyal in the 17th century, it is located between the confluence of two rivers: Pho(male) chhu and Mo(female) chhu.

Punakha is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag.

Punakha is divided into nine gewogs:

See also: Districts of Bhutan