A community Lhakhang for the residents of Riserbu-Tsangpo Chiwog of Trashigang’s Lumang Gewog is falling apart. The two-storey structure was damaged by an earthquake in 2008 and needs renovation.
This is the only public Lhakhang for the residents of Riserbu-Tsangpo chiwog in Wamrong.
The walls have developed cracks. Some wooden planks have rotted, and parts of the structure have even begun to tilt.
The earthquake in 2008 damaged the structure, and subsequent tremors have further worsened the damage.
“When people come here to visit, they enter with fear and hesitation. As a caretaker, even I feel uneasy to enter the Lhakhang to offer water and prayers every morning. I can’t enter the Lhakhang alone during strong winds or heavy rainfall, I get scared for my safety,” said Chejang, the caretaker.
“We perform two rituals in this Lhakhang, on the 10th day and 25th day of every month. As our Lhakhang has developed cracks on various sides, we are worried it might collapse with people inside during a rainy day,” said Ugyen Dorji, a resident.
Riserbu-Tsangpo Chiwog Tshogpa Jigme said, “We are very much worried because we don’t have another public Lhakhang here. This is the only Lhakhang that our public owns to conduct any community ritual. During rituals, we have to restrict people from entering, and allow only a few people inside the Lhakhang.”
The local leaders also raised the issue during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Lumang Gup Sangay Gyeltshen said, “As per the directives from the district administration, we have submitted a damage report, and even a rough cost estimation for the renovation. During the last Dzongkhag Tshogdu, we got a green signal, and we were asked to submit documents. But we cannot say whether the renovation proposal is approved or not.”
Sangmari Lhakhang was first constructed in 1974 by some private individuals and reconstructed in the early 2000s.
Around 180 households in Riserbu-Tsangpo chiwog use the Lhakhang to perform monthly rituals and annual Tshechu.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
