After waiting for more than a year, the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong finally received the one thousand statues of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel today. The relics were installed following a consecration ceremony presided over by the Tsugla Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang. Ranging the height from fifteen inches to five and a half feet, the thousand statues of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel have been made of gold, silver and copper.
The statues of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel were handed over to the district by Thousand Zhabdrung Statues Project last year. But with the Dzong reconstruction still ongoing, the statues were kept at Taba in Thimphu.
The Zhabdrung Tongku or the thousand statues of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal were received in a traditional ceremony at the recently completed Zhabdrung Lhakhang inside the dzong. Standing five and a half feet tall is the statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, one of the main relics of the Dzong. The head of the statue has been made purely of gold. According to project officials, around 37 kilograms were used for the head. The remaining parts have been made from gold, silver and copper.
Likewise, there are three various Zhabdrung statues ranging from fifteen inches to three feet, all made up of copper and gold. All of the statues have been installed in the Zhabdrung Lhakhang on the second floor of the dzong. The Zhabdrung statues were manufactured and procured by Tshampa Sangay Tenzin through his Thousand Zhabdrung Statues Project.
“We did not have any plans to offer the Zhabdrung statues to the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. But unfortunately, Wangdue Phodrang dzong got damaged by the fire accident. So, we decided to offer the Zhabdrung statues to the dzong. And today as I look back at my decision, I feel gratified and fulfilled to have offered the statues,” said Tshampa Sangay Tenzin.
Through the project, Tshampa Sangay Tenzin has distributed more than 1,000 statues of Zhabdrung Khamsum Zilnon to rabdeys and temples across the country.
“Zhabdrung Tongku offered by Tshampa Sangay Tenzin would benefit us all. Moreover, these statues will bring peace, prosperity and harmony to the country,” said Pema, Lam Neten of Wangdue Phodrang Dratshang.
“We are extremely fortunate to receive these one thousand statues of Zhabdrung. Through this, we would like to offer our prayers for the well-being of His Majesty The King and His Holiness the Je Khenpo,” said Tsagay, a resident of Bajo.
Meanwhile, the reconstruction of the iconic Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is almost complete. Built-in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was completely destroyed by a major fire accident in June 2012.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sonam Pem
