Ever since the planning for the development of Jigme Namgyal Museum in Lhuentse began in 2016, it generated a lot of excitement amongst the people there. Now, as the museum targets for this fall inauguration, their excitement has only doubled.
This four-storied traditional structure is where Desi Jigme Namgyal, the father of the first Druk Gyalpo, Ugyen Wangchuck was born almost 200 years ago.
Hence, named as Jigme Namgyal Nagtshang, the structure is located at Dungkar Village under Kurtoed Gewog.
It is being morphed into a historically rich museum, which is a tribute to Desi Jigme Namgyal.
The works began in 2019 with the district administration doing a major renovation including painting and electrification works.
Despite the pandemic, most of the works have been complete so far.
“We have completed most of the works including the collection of artefacts from eight gewogs in the district here and have displayed them in the museum. Only minor works such as installing humidifiers in the ground and first floors are pending completion,” updated Wangchen Norbu, the Lhuentse Dzongrab.
As works are now in final stages, the district administration is hoping to inaugurate the museum this October or November.
“If not, we will inaugurate the museum in February or March next year. But the visitors are allowed to see the museum any time,” added the Lhuentse Dzongrab.
The four-storied museum will showcase wide range of century-old items such as kitchen and weaving tools, sacred relics, weapons, textiles and accessories.
The third floor of the museum has been recreated as a bedroom of Desi Jigme Namgyal.
People of Kurtoed Gewog described the museum as the biggest and most precious asset in their gewog.
Since policymakers have identified the gewog for having high potential in cultural based tourism, people feel the museum will play a vital role in increasing tourism numbers in Lhuentse and other eastern districts.
According to the district’s record, nearly 600 international tourists visited Lhuentse in 2018. The figures for the following years were unavailable, mainly due to the pandemic.
“The museum is being set up at the historic birth place of Desi Jigme Namgyal. We are so excited for the inauguration of the museum. We now hope both domestic and international tourists will come in droves to experience our dzongkhag- known for its rich culture and heritage,” said Ugyen Pelden, Mangmi of Kurtoed Gewog.
Kurtoeps are also hoping that the museum will create economic opportunities for them.
“As museum inaugurates, it will create economic opportunities to our youths. We can sell dairy products to tourists. We can only think of reaping benefits,” added Tshewang Rinzin, a farmer from Kurtoed Gewog.
The district administration is spending Nu 3 M for the development of Jigme Namgyal Museum.
Once inaugurated, it will officially become the first-ever museum in the east.
Sonam Tshering, Lhuentse
Edited by Pema Lhaden
