November 11: The monks of the Central Monastic Body led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the five Lopons have arrived in Punakha, their winter residence, yesterday.


Hundreds of devotees lined along the Khuruthang town as the central monastic body arrived in Punakha to receive blessings from His Holiness the Je Khenpo.


The monk body left Thimphu yesterday coinciding with the 30th of day of the ninth Bhutanese month.


After making a night halt at Thinleygang, they proceeded towards the Puna Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang this morning stopping at the Zangtopelri Lhakhang where they were received by Yab Dasho Ugyen Dorji and Yum Thuji Zam. His Holiness and the five lopens offered prayers at the lhakhang.


As the monk body approached the dzong where they will be spending the next six months, thousands of people from nearby areas lined along the road to receive them. 
Every year the monk body and His Holiness the Je Khenpo move to their winter residence on the 1st day of the tenth Bhutanese month.

They move back to Thimphu on the first day of the fourth Bhutanese month. The tradition was introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the 17th century.