page_title: Punakha District
section_title: Culture
hierarchical_section_title: Punakha District / Culture
caption_attribution_description: English: Punakha Dzong, Bhutan Français&#160;: Punakha Dzong, Bhoutan
context_page_description: Punakha District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. It is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang Districts. The dominant language in the district is Dzongkha, the national language.
context_section_description: Pungtang Dechen Phodrang Dzong at Punakha, the administrative and religious center of the district, is the winter home of Bhutan's Dratshang Lhentshog (Central Monk Body). Since the 1680s 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 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Punakha Dzong is one of the most historic dzongs in the whole country. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century, it is located between the confluence of two rivers: Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female).
  Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten
caption: The Mo Chhu flowing alongside Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong at Punakha.
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