If everything goes as planned, the people of Tsakaling Gewog in Monggar will have a new temple by June this year. The construction of a three-storey temple in the gewog is ongoing. 90 per cent of the works have been completed so far.
His Majesty The King commanded to construct the new temple as the existing Samtenchoeling temple built in 1620 is too old and small to host religious events. In December 2019, His Majesty’s Secretariat issued a directive to commence the construction works for the new 76 feet tall temple in Tsakaling Gewog.
“His Majesty The King graced the Khandro Kanghsha ritual in 2018. During that time, the Khenpo informed His Majesty that the temple is in need of renovation. His Majesty then commanded to construct a new temple,” said Tshewang Rinzin from Samtenchoeling Gomdhey.
“We perform a religious ritual called Khandro Kangsha every three years. During the event, the temple gets cramped with the public. The temple is also too small to accommodate religious offerings inside. His Majesty The King, during a visit to Tsakaling, commanded to construct the new temple for the wellbeing of the people and the sentient beings,” said Jigme Wangchuk, Samtenchoeling Gomdhey Lam.
The dzongkhag administration awarded the construction works to Samtenchoeling Gomdhey. As of today, most of the construction works are complete except for some minor works. The government is financing the construction works worth over Nu 25 M. The dzongkhag administration also plans to renovate Samtenchoeling temple after the construction of the new temple is complete.
“It is one of the oldest temples in the gewog. The walls started developing cracks and it is also not safe inside. We are blessed with a new temple by His Majesty The King. We can perform Khandro Kangsha in a bigger temple once it’s complete. We are grateful to His Majesty The King,” said Sonam Lhaden, Kaling-Thoomling chiwog tshogpa.
Tsakaling Samtenchoeling is considered as one of the main seats for protecting and promoting the Peling tradition’s performing arts. Rigma Chudruk Chham, the most popular mask dance of Pema Lingpa is also believed to have spread in the country from Tsakaling.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
