Almost a year after Jaba Goenpa in Naja Gewog in Paro was severely damaged by an earthquake, renovation works are yet to start. The sacred relics are being housed in temporary structures built near the Lhakhang, prompting concerns over the safety of the Nangtens.
Jaba Goenpa was built some 400 years ago and is an important place of worship for the people of Naja Gewog.
Lam Kinzang Wangdi of the Goenpa said the gewog had to skip many of its daily and annual rituals preformed at the Goenpa. “We perform Kuchoe Bumthey regularly, more than 50 times in a year. But ever since the Goenpa was damaged by the quake, we have not been able to perform the ritual as often as in the past,” he said.
The people of Naja Gewog have been pushing for the renovation of the Goenpa. Naja Gup, Kado, said the gewog office has reported the matter to the Dzongkhag and ministry officials but have not heard back. “The Lhakhang needs to be rebuilt entirely. And this is not something the gewog can do it on its own. We have already submitted the reconstruction cost estimation to the government.”
Even before the renovation of the Lhakhang could begin, windstorm ripped off its Serto. The Serto was later reinstalled with funds contributed by the people of the Gewog.
People fear the Lhakhang might further break down. “If immediate reconstruction is not possible, it would be better if they could at least direct us to remove the damaged structures,” said the Naja Gup. He said they are worried that the remaining relics inside the Lhakhang might get damaged.
