Established in 1972, the Dechenphodrang monastic school, situated on the tranquil hills overlooking Thimphu, will undergo major renovations as part of the 13th-Five-Year Plan. Around three hundred monks from the monastic school have been relocated to the Nima High School campus at Taba in Thimphu today.
Around 9 a.m. today, the monks walked to the Nima High School campus after completing their prayer recitation on the grounds of Dechenphodrang Monastery, guided by the principal and their teachers. The Nima High School has remained closed for around two years now.
With most of the facilities such as hostels, offices, and classrooms already available at the school, preparations for the relocation were completed in about eleven days.
“Relocating it has been very convenient, as all the necessary facilities are available at this temporary location. Moreover, there will be no disruption in the monks’ academics, and even rituals will be performed according to the community’s aspirations. For the time being, this location is more convenient than the Dechenphodrang monastery,” said Tshewang, principal at Dechenphodrang Monastic School.
The Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development will redevelop all structures except for the main Lhakhang.
The renovation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will involve constructing residential buildings for both monks and lams. The second phase will focus on institutional structures, including classrooms, a prayer hall, offices, and other facilities.
The renovation work is set to begin in full swing in October this year, with over Nu 280 M allocated by the government for the project.
“Dechenphodrang is the old Trashichodzong, and later His Majesty The Third Druk Gyalpo established a significant monastic school there for the Central Monastic Body. To date, the majority of Bhutanese lams and lopens, both within and outside the country, are alumni of the monastery,” added the principal.
Meanwhile, as the monastery awaits the restoration work, in three years, it will once again resonate with the chants of the monks, stronger and more vibrant than ever, serving once again as a significant monastic school.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Kipchu
