- February 13, 2019
- Posted by: Kinley Wangmo
- Category: News
Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong, one of the oldest Dzongs in the country, located at the confluence of Pho chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, is a historic site for Bhutan. It also sites the earthly body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, unifier of Bhutan.
One of the spectacular tradition that makes Punakha unique is the Punakha Dromche- the only festival with a procession that re-enacts the war against the Tibetan invaders in the 17th century and the vibrant tradition of the Pazaps.
Pazaps in literal terms are ‘the brave warriors of Punakha’ who fought the Tibetan invaders for over 17 times and were the guardians of our sovereignty in the 17th century.
During the 17th century, the Pazaps came from ‘Wang tsho Chen gye’ (8 regions of Wang). This inspiring tradition of Pazaps is so rich that despite the demarcation of Punakha and Thimphu as two separate Dzongkhags, the people from the gewogs of Kawang, Maewang and Chang in Thimphu travel to Punakha and participate in this occasion alongside the gewogs of Shengana, Barp, Kabjisa, Toepisa, Lingbukha and Toewang in Punakha.
Meeting the Pazaps, Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering thanked them for their keen participation and involvement in making such unique traditions thrive. He said that our ancestors guarded our sovereignty and the Pazap culture thriving today reinvigorates the deep sense of gratitude that we must have for our ancestors.
Lyonchhen told that pazaps that keeping a tradition alive is difficult but making a tradition thrive at this juncture of modernization is inspiring. He conveyed his appreciation and ensured that the required state support for Pazaps would be provided.
Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji is accompanied Lyonchhen.