1984, Monasteries Pungthang Dzong Chhug 2 Nu Bhutan

1984, Monasteries Pungthang Dzong Chhug 

1984, Monasteries Pungthang Dzong Chhug 2 Nu Bhutan

Text: Pungthang Dzong Chhug 2 Nu Bhutan
Condition: Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   Pungthang Dzong Chhug

Face value:     2 NU

Stamp Currency: NU

Country/area:            Bhutan

Year:   1984

Set:     1984 Monasteries

Stamp number in set:           5

Basic colour:  Multi-coloured

Usage:            Franking

Type:   Stamp

Theme:           Monasteries

Perforation:            

Stamp subject:           Monasteries

Stanley Gibbons number:   

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Pungthang Dewachen Gi Phodrang

Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness) or Punakha Dzong was constructed by Tuebi Zaow Balip under the great command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637 and believed to have been completed in two years of time period. It is also the country's most beautiful Dzong.It is the winter residence of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body led by HH the Je Khenpo. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal andTerton Padma Lingpa.

In 1907, Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first King of Bhutan. Three years later, a treaty was signed at Punankha whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs.

In 1987, the dzong was partially destroyed by fire.

Due to its location at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in the Punakha-Wangdue valley, the dzong is vulnerable to flash flooding caused by glacier lakes (GLOF). According to a recent report, flash flood damage to Punakha Dzong occurred in 1957, 1960 and 1994. Currently (March 2010) work is in progress to protect the dzong from future flood damage by deepening the river channels and raising the embankments using four large steam shovels.

A covered wooden cantilever bridge crossing the Mo Chhu river was built together with the Dzong in the 17th century. This bridge was washed away by a flash flood in 1957 or 1958. In 2006 work started on a new covered wooden cantilever bridge of traditional construction with a free span of 55 meters which was completed in 2008 with the help from the Germans.