An abandoned place lets anyone with imagination imagine what it was like in its heyday. It also gives an insight into the history of the place. Likewise, residents of Migkuri village under Dungmaed Gewog in Pema Gatshel have an abandoned holy place called Nyejab, which is located just a few hours walk from the village. Today, the sacred place, which is believed to be blessed by Guru Rimpoche remains under the weight of disregard and ignorance.
The area where the sacred place is located is registered as private land because of which no one took care of it. The landowner has cut down trees and used the land for cultivation. The holy rocks, which is believed to be Guru Rimpoche’s seat has a water bowl that is all covered with bushes.
“Because we live in a remote place and we lack exposure, we just knew about the place being visited by Guru Rimpoche and never took it seriously. It was left abandoned as it was not identified by any great lamas,” said Sangay Wangchuk, a resident of Migkuri.
“I have heard our grandparents talking about the place being holy and sacred. There is even an excursion that lets people pass through the rock and is believed to cleanse themselves. But I have never visited myself,” added Thinley Jamtsho, another resident.
Considering the place being blessed by Guru Rimpoche, residents have decided to better manage the sacred place without deserting it.
“From now on, we would like to start performing rituals twice a month to accumulate merit and to purify our sins. And we are also hoping to make this a religious chanting place for our elderly,” added Sangay Wangchuk.
“Last year we performed a ritual. And now we are planning to encourage the younger generations to often make a visit to the sacred place,” added Thinley Jamtsho.
According to elders in the village, Guru Rimpoche visited the place to subdue a demon in the form of a lake above the holy place. Likewise, there are several other sacred places far from the village that has been abandoned. Residents expect the gewog’s support to revive these sacred places and make them accessible for an excursion.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
