Tshechus and festivals across the country were performed as closed-door events for the last few years due to the pandemic. But with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions since last year, Tshechus in some places started attracting more visitors. In Gomphu Kora in Trashi Yangtse, more than 600 people from Tawang in India came to witness the Tshechu.
People of Tawang walked about four hours from the nearest road point in India to Toedtsho Gewog in Trashi Yangtse carrying all the goods on their backs.
From there, they hired taxis to travel to Gomphu kora.
And they lived in these temporary sheds.
They are all here to witness the Gomphu Kora Tshechu.
Every year, the three-day Tshechu starts on the eighth day of the second month of the Bhutanese calendar.
It is said that about three decades ago, Trashigang Lam Neten Singye Rinchen started the Gomphu Kora Tshechu.
During the Tshechu, Guru Tshengye Thongdrel and sacred relics were also displayed to the public.
According to people from Tawang, they have been visiting Gomphu Kora to witness the festival and get blessings for years.
“I visited the place seven times but due to covid pandemic, we could not visit in the last three years. But this year, I came here along with my friends. We are enjoying,” said Dorji Wangchuk from Tawang.
“I am so happy as it is my first time visiting the place. When I was young, my parents used to tell me to visit Gomphu Kora. And it was my dream to visit Bhutan, I am happy,” said Pelden Tshering who also came from Tawang.
And these visitors do not have to pay the Sustainable Development Fee or SDF as pilgrims to Gomphukora and Hindu pilgrims to a temple near Phuentshogling need not have to pay the SDF as per the Department of Immigration.
According to the department, the SDF waiver only applies if the pilgrims stay within Trashi Yangtse and the pilgrimage site for the duration of the festival.
Meanwhile, many people from Tawang visiting the Tshechu have provided the business community and the taxi drivers in Trashi Yangtse the opportunity to earn some extra income.
“Earlier, we used to earn about Nu 5,000 in a day. But these days, we are earning around Nu 15,000. Moreover, the business people are also benefitted as they are buying goods from here,” said Choni Dorji, a taxi driver.
Besides visiting Gomphu Kora, people from Tawang visited nearby sacred places like Chorten Kora and Dechen Phodrang Ney in Trashi Yangtse.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Tshering Zam
