His Holiness the Je-Khenpo and monks of the Zhung Dratshang returned to their summer residence in Thimphu, today.
The monk body spends their winter in Punakha for six months. They then return to their summer residence in Tashichhodzong. Every year, they return Thimphu on the first day of the fourth Bhutanese month.
Residence of Punakha rushed to receive blessings from his holiness the Je khenpo and the Nangtens (sacred relics) of the Zhung Dratshang and the Central Monastic body.
Thousands of people lined up along the Punakha-Thimphu Highway to offer prayers and receive blessings.
In keeping with tradition, His holiness the Je-Khenpo and the monk body will halt at Simtokha tonight and will proceed to Tashichoodzong the next morning.
The tradition of maintaining a summer and winter residence was instituted by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel in the 17 century.
