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Punakha
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Punakha has a temperate climate and drained
by Pho - chu (Male) and Mo - chu (Female) rivers
the fertile valley of Punakha produces rich
crops. Until 1955, Punakha served as the Capital
of Bhutan and even today, it is the winter seat
of the Je khenpo (chief Abbot) and the central
Monk body.
The Dzong was built at the junction of the two
rivers in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang
Namgyel.
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Wangdi Phodrang
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Towards the south of Punakha, located at the altitude
of 1,350 mt is Wandgdi Dzong, built again in the
17th century by Shabdrung. The Dzong stands at
the confluence of Punakha - chu and Tang - chu
river. The higher reaches of the valley provides
rich pastureland for cattle.
Phubjikha valley in Wangdi Phodrang is the winter
place for the rare black neck cranes. The district
is also known for its fine bamboo work and its
slate carvings.
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Tongsa
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The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular,
and for miles on the end of the Dzong seems
to tease you, wondering if you will ever reach
there.
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Tongsa Dzong
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In 1648 the ancestral home of the Bhutan's Royal
family was built. Both the first & second
kings ruled the country from this ancient seat.
All four kings of Bhutan held the post of Tongsa
Penlop (honorary Governor) prior to being crowned
as King. A massive structure with many levels
which slopes down the contour of hill on which
it is set.
Because of its highly strategic position on
the only connecting route between eastern &
western sectors the Tongsa Penlop was able to
control the whole of the eastern region effectively
for centuries.
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Bumthang Valley
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Bumthang valley has some of the most sacred and
the oldest Monasteries in the country. The Valley
lies to the east of Tongsa at the altitude of
2,600 mt, where tales of Guru Padmasambava &
his re - incarnations known as Lingpa dominates
the holy places.
Jambey Lhakhang built by Tibetan King Songten
Gembo, incarnation of Buddha of compassion, in
the 7th century, is among 108 monasteries built
by him to subdue the evil spirit in the Himalayan
region.
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| Kurje
Lhakhang |
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The Monastery
located above Jambey Lhakhang, consists of three temples.
The first one being the oldest built in 1652 on the
rock face where Furu Rimpoche meditated in the 8th century.
The second Temple is the holiest because this is the
site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of
Guru Rimpoche's body. The cave is not visible as it
is concealed by a large statue of Guru Rimpoche. The
third temple was built on this holy place by the present
Queen Mother of Bhutan is yet to complete. The three
Temples are surrounded by a 108 chorten (stupa) wall,
which is the symbol to dedicate it to each joint of
human body.
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| Tamshing
Lhakhang |
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Located
opposite Kurje Lhakhang on other side of the river was
founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, reincarnation
of Guru Padmasambava. The monastery has very interesting
religious paintings inside such as thousand Buddhas
and twenty-one Taras (female form of Buddhisatawa).
This temple was later restored at the end of 19th century.
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| Mongor |
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Mongor
is the site of one of Bhutan's newest Dzong built in
1930s following the traditional architectural pattern
handed down through times, without any plans on paper
or the use of any nails. A visit to the Dzong gives
visitors an impression of how over the centuries traditional
Bhutanese architecture has continued to exist to this
day without any changes.
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Tashigang
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In the far east of Bhutan, on the bank of Gamri
chu river, lies Tashigang, the Country's largest
district. Tashigang Dzong stands on the hill
slope below the main street. The Dzong built
in the mid 17th century, serves as the Administrative
seat for the district, as well as school for
the monks.
Tashigang once the center of a busy trade with
Tibet, is today the junction of the east west
highway with road connecting to Samdrup Jongkhar
and then to the Indian state of Assam.
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