A place of worship or a site of neglect? The newly built Hindu temple in Tsirang’s Tsirang Toed Gewog remains locked in the absence of relics and statues for worship. However, repeated break-ins have left the temple littered, with some even destroying electric bulbs and wiring, before it could serve its purpose.
The main temple was constructed under the previous local government, while the caretaker’s residence and other structures were built under the current local government.
The lack of proper care has resulted in littering both inside and outside the temple. A huge crack has developed in the caretaker’s residence and drainage systems. A caretaker has not been deployed yet. The public toilet is damaged and unusable while exposed electrical wiring poses safety risks.
BBS contacted the gewog but couldn’t get the funding details for the temple construction.
In the meantime, locals said the temple’s neglect is a waste of government resources.
“The construction of the Hindu Mandir has been completed. However, several issues such as water connections and poor drainage systems are visible. The maintenance works have not been carried out and the mandir has been left idle,” said Ran Maya Subba, a resident.
“We have a Buddhist temple in the area but no Hindu mandir except the one which is left idle. The construction work has not been completed. Once complete, it would greatly benefit the Lhotsham community here,” said Bir Maya Rai, another resident.
The Tsirang Toed Gup said the gewog administration couldn’t buy statues as they are not allowed to spend more than 10 per cent of their total budget on religious-related activities. However, the gewog administration has plans to seek voluntary donations.
With funding uncertain, it remains unclear when the temple will be operational.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
