A Lhakhang plays an important social and cultural function in the lives of the people living in communities besides being religious centres. People of Dungchhilo-Kholomri chiwog in Dechhenling Gewog under Pema Gatshel, are all smiles as their community Lhakhang, Laishingri Lhakhang, is under renovation and will be completed next month. The construction works began mid this year.
The renovation completion will benefit more than 25 households in the community.
“With the completion of the Lhakhang renovation, we hope there will be peace and prosperity,” said Tenzin Dorji, a resident of the chiwog.
Karma Wangdi, another resident said that the current Lhakhang will be spacious compared to the previous one. “It will be comfortable and easier to perform rituals,’ he added.
Without a renovation, the Lhakhang’s structures were almost in ruins posing danger to the locals.
“Because it was constructed in our grandparents’ time, the timbers and woods have almost decayed and was in urgent need of a renovation,” added karma Wangdi.
Dechhenling gup, Sonam Rinchen said a dispute with private landowners over the land delayed the renovation works. “The Lhakhang is more than 50 years old. If it not for the ongoing renovation, the Lhakhang would have turned into ruins.”
The Gewog administration is spending Nu 2.5 M to restore the Lhakhang. There are nearly 12 community Lhakhangs in Dechhenling gewog.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
