It has been nearly a year and a half since the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu has remained closed amid the pandemic. One of the renowned religious monuments in the capital, the closure has deprived devotees of a place of worship. And today, many circumambulate the Chorten from outside the campus, risking their lives from speeding vehicles.
One of the talks of the town today, especially among the devotees is ‘when will the National Memorial Chorten reopen?’
BBS observed that people come to make rounds as early as 4 AM. And many who spoke to BBS said it could do them a great favour if the chorten could open for the public.
“Many devotees frequent the chorten but we fear that we would be run over by vehicles. If the chorten is open, it would solve the problem. Even security personnel could monitor the visitors to avoid crowding. I am sure people will follow the safety protocol,” said Gyeltshen who comes regularly to circumambulate.
Others said the risk is even higher during the rush hours.
According to the chorten’s lam Sonam, the chorten, which is ideally located in the centre of the capital has been shut for some 17 months now. And opening it could greatly benefit the devotees.
“If the concerned agencies direct us to open it, we will gladly comply with the directives. Like elsewhere, as long as we follow safety measures such as keeping distance, washing hands and wearing masks, I don’t see any problem,” he added.
While religious places and monuments around the country are opened to the public amid strict safety measures, the chorten has remained closed since the pandemic began. In Thimphu alone, places such as Dechenphu and Changangkha lhakhangs are crowded during special occasions.
According to the lams of the two lhakhangs, every day hundreds of people visit the temples. The number has been increasing especially after the second nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
“Daily, we get about 60 to 70 people. But during special occasions, we see about 300 to 500 visitors,” said Ugyen Peljor, the Dechenphu Lam.
Going by Health Minister Dechen Wangmo, the health ministry and the National COVID-19 Taskforce don’t regulate the opening and closure of religious sites.
“We haven’t notified the closure of the chorten. We are more focused on ensuring that there is no crowding. For instance, we have restricted the crowding of more than 25 people at a time,” the minister said.
And amid these, a question still lingers, ‘whose directive will undo the precarious days devotees undergo, every day?’
The national memorial Chorten is located at the cross-road of a busy street in the capital. And until the good old days return, the risks of devotees being run over by vehicles loom large.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Chayku
