On Zhabdrung Kuchoe, His Majesty The King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the Royal Family graced the ceremony to commemorate 400 years of the Zhung Dratshang at Punakha Dzong on May 11. 

Ministers and senior government officials were in attendance for the ceremony.  

His Majesty, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and His Holiness the Je Khenpo offered prayers at the sacred Machen Lhakhang in Punakha Dzong. 

Special prayers were recited at the Grand Kuenrey of Punakha Dzong, with Ku Sung Thugten Mendrel offerings. 

The first formal monastic community in Bhutan was established by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel at Chari Monastery in Thimphu, which was completed in 1622. 

The establishment of the Zhung Dratshang is of historic significance as it marks the first steps in unifying Bhutan as a nation-state in the 17th century.