Located at an altitude of more than 3,500 metres above sea level, lies the sacred Lhang-pog-pa Lhakhang at Aja Ney in Monggar. The Lhakhang was blessed by Guru Rinpoche. Nobody knows when the Lhakhang was built. Not even the owner themselves.
Kelzang Euden, 50, is one of the grandchildren of the owners who constructed the Lhakhang. Today, her mother, 89, and her family members earn their living guiding the pilgrims at Aja Ney. She was told by her grandparents that the Lhakhang was built four times. “First it was built in Nemethang but I guess the area was not suitable for such site. Later they built it again at a place named Zangpogpa but it was again destroyed by an earthquake. After that it was rebuilt in this area where it stands at a moment,” she told our reporter, Yeshi Nidup, who visited Aja Ney recently.
The temple was renovated once. Later it was destroyed by an earthquake on September 2009. Due to financial constraint, the rebuilding works were incomplete. Kelzang Euden said she would be grateful if government helps her.
“My Lhakhang faces lots of problem. The Lhakhang does not have a CGI sheet and during rainy season the rain seeps inside. There is also no lighting system as well. Many pilgrim conduct Tshechus in the Lhakhang but without lighting facilities it is difficult for such ceremonies especially when the rituals take place late into the night.”
However, Kelzang Euden now has reason to smile. During the recent visit by the Minister for Agriculture and Forests, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, he promised to maintain the temple to its glory. Aja Ney is an officially three-day walk from the nearest road head.
