Things to do in Punakha

After spending and visiting the beautiful sights of Thimpu or next destination was Punakha, we had got done with the permits the previous day. So we just had to get in the Car and head to Punakha.On the way we would be stopping at Dochula Pass and then head to Punakha which was around 90 Kms and would be taking 3 hours.

Dochula Pass

This was the place where we experienced snow for just a few seconds. The Dochula Pass is basically a mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas on the road from Thimpu to Punakha where 108 memorial stupas have been built by the eldest Queen Mother.We spent some time knowing the history of the place from our Guide, visited the stupas and the nearby monastery and then continued with our journey to Punakha.

River Rafting at Mochu and Pochu River.

Our first stop in Punakaha was the Mochu river, it was an off season so the river did not have much flow. So we had to settle for a less adventurous River Rafting ride it cost us something around 1500 pp and was nearly a 1 hour trip. From the bridge to the Punkakha dzong. On the way we got to see the different animals and birds and also the palaces of the various Bhutan Kings. As Punakha was one of the old capitals of Bhutan.

Punakha Dhzong.

The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang (meaning “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. The entry fee to the place is 500 pp and also includes a guide who shows you inside the place and also the Histoy about the place.When we went there were preparations going on for some festival,So that was an added experience on our trip to the Dhzong.

After visiting the Dhzong our next stop was at a local homestay where we had local Bhutanese cuisine which contained Ema Datsee, Keva Datsee, some rice Chapati and local Chicken Gravy dish. Rs 500 pp

Fertility Temple

Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Fertility Temple or Monastery, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the “Divine Madman”. In founding the site, it is said that Lama Kunley subdued a demon of Dochu La with his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom” and trapped it in a rock at the location close to where the temple now stands. This wooden phallus is decorated with a silver handle and is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage, particularly women seeking blessings to beget children. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a 10-inch (25 cm) wooden phallus (erect penis). After visiting the temple we headed to our hotel.

The evening was spent at the local market, Dinner at a local restaurant of some Chopsuey and Thukpa we called it a day. Next day we were to head to the last destination Paro.