Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother, Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck, graced the consecration of the Lha Dzong Tashigang Goenpa in Hongtsho in the capital today. The Dorji Lopen of the Central Monastic Body presided over the consecration ceremony of the monastery. Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother supported the renovation works of the structure.
The one-storey Lha Dzong Tashigang Goenpa was initially built by the 12th Je Khenpo, Kunga Gyamtsho, in 1768.
It was later expanded into a three-storeyed Goenpa by the 19th Je Khenpo, Ngawang Chogyal.
The 18th century structure has since not undergone any major renovation for more than 200 years according to teachers of the monastery.
However, with the support of Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother, Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck, the renovation works started in November 2020.
“In the year 2012, the Goenpa was damaged by an earthquake. We submitted a proposal for the renovations. With the support provided by the government and Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck, the Goenpa was renovated,” said Rinchen Dorji, a teacher at the Lha Dzong Tashigang Goenpa.
“We worked on the restoration of the wall paintings of the Lhakhang. Tashigang Goenpa is one of the oldest monasteries in the country and it has become badly damaged due to the weather in the area. The timber was all damaged. Hence, we replaced all the damaged timber and the pillars with strong and hard timber. The cracked walls were also renovated. We replaced the damaged wood and the walls,” said Project Manager Namgay Wangchuk.
The renovation team consists of workers from the Department of Procurement and Properties, the monks of Thangka Conservation Centre under the Ten-Sum Department of Zhung Dratshang, the Department of Culture and the Thimphu District Administration.
Today, the Lha Dzong Tashigang Goenpa has 60 monks and seven teachers.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Kipchu
