A community Lhakhang plays an important social and cultural role in the lives of the people besides being religious centres. Residents of Agonang-Zarbisa Chiwog under Kabisa Gewog in Punakha have been waiting for a community Lhakhang for a long time. And the wait is finally over with the construction of the one-storey Lhakhang expected to complete next month.
The construction of a one-story Lhakhang is under full swing today. In the absence of a Lhakhang, residents have been performing rituals in the open space.
“Our people have to pitch tents in open places while performing the rituals. They do the entire preparation works and conduct the rituals inside the tents,” said Chophel, a resident of Agonang-Zarbisa.
“If we do not offer our prayers to the local deity Yue-top, there would either be windstorm or landslides in the community. It can also bring destruction to our harvests. But if we all come together and make the offerings on time, nothing will happen,” said Karma, the Agonang-Zarbisa Tshogpa.
The gewog administration has prioritized Nu 1.2 M for the Lhakhang construction. It is being constructed on a land offered by the residents.
“The Lhakhang construction is being carried out based on community contract after consulting with the public. So, the people are paid. They get little bit more than the national daily wagers,” said Tshering Penjor, the Kabesa Gup.
The community will manage the Lhakhang hereafter. There are about seventy households in the chiwog.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Sonam Pem
