Chenla Ney, located in Kangpar Gewog, Trashigang, is gaining popularity among Buddhist devotees, with the number of visitors increasing each year. However, pilgrims are calling for a proper trail and other basic amenities around the sacred site. Some visitors also raised the need for more trained local guides to interpret the site’s significance.
65-year-old Chimi Rinzin is the only local guide from Threlphu village in Kangpar Gewog accompanying pilgrims visiting Chenla Ney.
He explains the historical background of each sacred site at Chenla.
As the lone local guide, his service falls short during peak pilgrim seasons when the number of visitors increases.
The information plates installed by lecturers from Sherubtse College have also worn out.
Sacred sites at Chenla are not connected by a proper route, requiring pilgrims to walk through thorny bushes and sloppy areas. At some sites, pilgrims have to help each other navigate their way on huge rocks.
Threlphu Tshogpa Chimi Rinzin said, “I am getting older now, but the number of visitors keeps increasing here. Those visiting the site for the first time often get lost and even miss out on some sacred sites without a local guide. This leaves the visitors dissatisfied after walking for a day to reach the site.”
“Here at Chenla sacred site, there are information plates placed at various sites, but most of them are broken. The route is not good, requiring visitors to walk through rocky boulders and bushes,” said Lhendup Wangchuk, a resident of Merdag Village in Kangpar Gewog.
Zordoong Tshogpa Chimi Rinzin said, “While visiting sacred sites at Chenla Ney, there is no proper route for the pilgrims. We have to make a proper route and even shorten it, so that devotees can visit the sites properly.”
The Wamrong Dungkhag Administration stated that they are in the process of writing a proposal to secure funds to develop infrastructure to make the site more visitor-friendly.
Meanwhile, the lack of local guides will no longer be an issue. A few youths in the gewog have expressed interest in being trained as guides for the pilgrims.
Trashigang District Administration is also focusing on promoting eco-cultural tourism at the sacred Chenla Ney.
Chenla is a sacred site blessed by Guru Rinpoche and discovered by Drupthob Donga Rinchen, popularly known as Drupthob Khejay, more than 400 years ago.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
