Puna Dewachen pi Phodrang (Palace of Eternal Bliss) was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel – the founder of modern Bhutan – in 1637. It served as the capital of Bhutan till 1955.

Dewachen refers the western Pure Land of Buddha Amitabha known as Sukhavati in Sanskrit. Sukhavati means “eternal bliss”.

It is said that Drubthob Nagi Rinchen (1384-1468) arrived at this spot and saw it in his vision as the paradise of Buddha Amitabha, which was later envisioned by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel too. Hence, this name was given to this place – Palace over Sukhavati.

The grand citadel served as the capital of Bhutan for many centuries until the mid-twentieth century. It is still the spiritual capital of Bhutan, where all major state ceremonies and rituals are conducted.

Popular legend also talks about it being built on the trunk of a sleeping elephant – a view that you can see from the opposite hill of Logodama.

There are two dzongs here. The smaller one on the left is the older one, which was built by Ngagi Rinchen. This one has an amazing wish-fulfilling Buddha statue.
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Punakha Dzong by night.😍😍😍
Never experienced this pretty monument at night. It is prettier.