A crematorium located on a mountaintop at Pungtenchhu Gewog in Tsirang has been left unused since its completion in 2019. This is because of the villagers’ superstitious beliefs surrounding the location of the crematorium. The facility worth Nu 1.4 M was intended to provide convenience to the bereaved families without having to take bodies to Damphu for cremations which is around 30 kilometres. However, the crematorium now stands neglected.
Covered in overgrown bushes and grasses and cracks visible in its structure, the crematorium looks deserted.
According to Pungtenchhu Gup, the lack of utilisation stems from a superstitious belief held by the villagers that cremating bodies at the top of the village brings bad luck and negative consequences. People currently use the crematorium at Damphu for funerals.
The Gup acknowledged that the location for the crematorium was chosen by a committee comprising villagers.
“After receiving multiple requests from the public, the gewog administration gave priority to the construction of the crematorium. However, upon the completion, skepticism and doubts arose among the general public. A few individuals shared stories about the potential consequences if bodies were cremated at the mountaintop. As a result, people chose not to use the facility,” said Shiva Lal Karaiya, Pungtenchhu Gup.
The Gup added that the gewog administration tried to find alternative locations for the crematorium but was unsuccessful.
“Before finalising the current location, the gewog administration identified a site somewhere between Pungtenchhu and Tsirang Toed Gewogs. However, we were unable to obtain clearance from the nearby residents. Moreover, we looked for another site near a stream and presented it for public discussion but the villagers rejected that location,” added Pungtenchhu Gup.
Currently, the gewog administration is in talks with the Pungtenchhu Goenzin Dratshang to explore alternative uses for the facility.
Meanwhile, the Principal of Pungtenchhu Goenzin Dratshang in May this year had written to the officials of Pungtenchhu, Tsirang Toed and Sergithang Gewogs requesting budget allocation and prioritisation for the construction of a new crematorium at Burichhu. The proposed facility will have separate furnaces for Buddhist and Hindu followers.
However, the gewog administrations have yet to respond.
According to religious figures, certain beliefs have emerged among the general public in certain parts of the country over time, despite not being explicitly mentioned in religious texts.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
