Punakha

District

Punakha ( Tibetan transliterated: sPu nos kha; Tibetan spungs thang ) is a small town in the west of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan with about 7,000 inhabitants at an altitude of 1400 m. There is also an administrative district of Bhutan ( see also Punakha (District) ). The climate is subtropical, due to its relatively low altitude.

History

In Punakha died in the 17th century in Bhutan revered as the nation's founder Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. He then led the military fortification of the monasteries of Bhutan against attacking troops from Tibet and agreed the country politically. The embalmed body of Nawang Namgyal is kept in the Dzong ( monastery fortress ) of Punakha. There also are the cremated body of the deceased religious leaders, the Je Khenpo kept. In the winter months the Punakha Dzong serves as the residence of the incumbent Je Khenpo.

Punakha was on December 17, 1907 place of coronation of the first king of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuk. The great-grandfather of the present King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk was originally Talvogt ( Penlop ) of Trongsa. Of 1910 was in Punakha Dzong held the signing of the Anglo- Bhutanese Treaty: The colonial power Great Britain refrained from interfering in the internal politics of Bhutan and demanded in return, foreign policy to represent Bhutan exclusive.

Economy

Due to sufficient rainfall and its warm climate, the valley of Punakha is ideal for rice cultivation. In the winter months, potatoes and vegetables are grown. Long-range deforestation have led in the Punakha Valley for years to concern environmental damage.

Attractions

• Punakha Dzong ( monastery fortress )

The Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 by Ngawang Namgyal as a fortress against the invading Tibetans. It burned in 1987 partly from, but was completely rebuilt quickly and is an outstanding example ( " jewel " ) of the monastic architecture of Bhutan. Unlike the other Dzong in the country, the Punakha is not on a hill or hill, but in a valley at the confluence of the two rivers Mochu and Pochu.

On 7 October 1994, in turn, part of the Dzong was destroyed by a strong flood, but was now again fully restored. In actual images a new, approximately 3m high wall also can be seen on the river bank, which is to protect against future floods.

On October 13, 2011 was held at the Dzong Bhutanese King Jigme 's wedding Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Jetsun Pema with the Bhutanerin instead.

• Location in Bhutan