A local secondary school

Punakha Dzong and the Mo Chhu river

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong

Covered bridge over the river giving access to the dzong

Rhododendron

Steep stairs entrance to the Punakha Dzong

Bee hives over the entrance to the dzong

Our group going up the steep, shallow steps

Namthosey, guardian deity of the North

Yulkhorsung, guardian deity of the East

The Four Harmonious Friends

Buddha with no teeth representing longevity

Puzzle created by the monk who built the original dzong - there is no known solution

Wheel of life with the 12 animals of the Zodiac

Sacred Bodhi tree - this ficus or Bodhi tree represents the tree under which Siddartha Gautama (original Buddha) achieved enlightenment

Choeten of the first courtyard

Inner courtyard

Facade details

Steep steps into a temple

Facade details

Facade details

Temple entrance

Mandala on the wall outside the temple

Wheel of Life held by Yama, the Lord of Death

We were certainly inside a lot of Buddhist temples on this trip. Since no picture-taking is allowed, I went on-line to see what I could find. Below are two pictures taken by someone -who probably wasn't supposed to take them. The interiors of the temples we saw contained statues and altars much like those in the photos. The interior of the temples is usually very ornate (especially in the older temples) with many statues and paintings on all the walls and ceiling. The altars contain burning butter lamps and butter sculptures made by shaping butter. On the whole, these temples were beautiful.

Buddhist temple interior (from an internet picture)

Buddhist temple interior (from an internet picture)

Ornate butter sculptures

Ornate building facade

Facade closer up

Facade details

Facade details