Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong

Punakha Dzong Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong
Punakha Dzong
Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong at Punakha and Jacaranda trees
Location within Bhutan
Alternative names	Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong
General information
Type	Religious and Civil Administration
Architectural style	Dzong
Location	Punakha, Bhutan
Coordinates	27°34′55″N 89°51′47″E / 27.58194°N 89.86306°E / 27.58194; 89.86306
Elevation	1,200
Construction started	1637
Completed	1638
Renovated	2004
Owner	Government of Bhutan
Technical details
Structural system	Fortress
Floor count	Six
Design and construction
Architect	Zowe Palep and Ngawang Namgyal

The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong (meaning very awesome dzong "the palace of great happiness or bliss"), is the administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. The dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the tertön Pema Lingpa.

Punakha Dzong was the administrative centre and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion.

The Dzong is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers in the Punakha–Wangdue valley. The source of the Mo chu river is in the northern hills of Lighsi and Laya in Bhutan, and in Tibet. The Po Chu River is fed by glaciers in the Lunana region of the Punakha valley. After the confluence of these two rivers, the main river is known as Puna Tsang chu or Sankosh River and flows down through Wangdue Phodrang, crosses the Bhutan–India border at Kalikhola and eventually meets the Brahmaputra River.

In view of the healthy climate in the region, Punakha is the winter capital of Bhutan. The head of the clergy of Bhutan with his entourage of monks spend the winter in this dzong.Jacaranda trees grow around the dzong, blooming with mauve flowers in the spring.