A visit to the Royal Textile Academy in Thimphu will give visitors a rare glimpse of sacred relics that once belonged to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and some of his reincarnations.
The ongoing exhibition titled, “Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel- the founding father of Bhutan”, which began in September, has 24 different artefacts of Zhabdrung and his reincarnations on public display.
The exhibition showcases the history of Zhabdrung and his lineage through sacred relics and appliqué.
It includes Zhabdrung’s statue, prayer beads, religious scriptures, thunderbolt and bell and horse tooth believed to be from Zhabdrung’s horse, among others.
A statue of Zhabdrung was brought from Jarogang Lhakhang in Wangdue Phodrang.
The statue is said to be moulded from rice offered by a hostess named, Zompa Chungmo.
The prayer bead of Zhabdrung, which dates back to 17th century, was brought from Simtokha Dzong.
Zhabdrung’s appliqué has embroidered-images of his two disciples, Umze Tenzin Drugyel, the first Desi of Bhutan and Drungwa Damcho Gyaltshen.
The Thangka was brought from Trashigang Goenpa in Thimphu.
The set of thunderbolt and bell was brought from Ralung in Tibet by Zhabdrung.
He is believed to have presented them to his hostess Zompa Chungmo.
Of the 24 relics, 13 artifacts belong to Zhabdrung and 11 to his reincarnations.
The artifacts will be returned to their respective owners in Gasa, Wangdue Phodrang and Thimphu after the exhibition in March.
