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๐“๐š๐ค๐ญ๐ฌ๐ž ๐’๐š๐ง๐ ๐š ๐‚๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‹๐ก๐š๐ค๐ก๐š๐ง๐  ๐ข๐ง ๐”๐ซ๐ ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ž๐ž๐ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‘๐ž๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง

โ€ฆ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’Ž๐’–๐’๐’Š๐’•๐’š ๐’‚๐’‘๐’‘๐’†๐’‚๐’๐’” ๐’‡๐’๐’“ ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’‘๐’“๐’†๐’‰๐’†๐’๐’”๐’Š๐’—๐’† ๐’“๐’†๐’”๐’•๐’๐’“๐’‚๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’•๐’ ๐’‘๐’“๐’†๐’”๐’†๐’“๐’—๐’† 400-๐’š๐’†๐’‚๐’“-๐’๐’๐’… ๐’๐’‰๐’‚๐’Œ๐’‰๐’‚๐’๐’ˆ

By Kezang Choden

The historic Taktse Sanga Choling Lhakhang, a 400-year-old cultural and spiritual landmark in Taktse village under Dragten Gewog in Trongsa Dzongkhag, urgently needs renovation. This ancient temple, dating back to the 16th century, has been a significant cultural and spiritual site for centuries. However, it has suffered damage due to rain leakage, causing severe deterioration of its interior. The Lhakhang holds immense symbolic value for local residents, representing their spiritual safeguard. The community fears that without immediate restoration, the structure may face further degradation, potentially leading to its collapse.

Yeshey Dorji, the ex-Lama of Taktse Sanga Choling Lhakhang, revealed through extensive research that the Lhakhang was built in 1680, marking its 400th anniversary. He emphasized that while the exterior of the Lhakhang has undergone maintenance several times, the interior has never been restored. “The Lhakhang was constructed by the second Trongsa Penlop, Ney Lungpa Sherab Lhendup, in honor of the friendship and memory of the 1st Desi, Chogyal Minjur Tempa,” Dorji explained. The most significant statue in the Lhakhang is Jowo Shakya Muni, a revered figure that holds immense religious importance. Inside the Lhakhang, the walls are in poor condition, presenting a significant risk to the building’s integrity. This statue, along with many other religious artifacts, is at risk due to the deteriorating condition of the temple.

Ugyen, the Tshogpa of Taktse village, has highlighted the deteriorating condition of their cherished Lhakhang due to persistent rain leakage. The historical significance of the Lhakhang is compounded by the structural challenges it faces, with both the floor and roof suffering extensive damage. “For one to two months, we have to continually empty containers placed to collect rainwater leaking from the roof,” Ugyen lamented. He expressed gratitude for the support from the gewog, which provided a budget that enabled some maintenance of the roof. However, he emphasized the pressing need for comprehensive renovations to safeguard the Lhakhang’s future, fearing it may collapse due to its age. “The Lhakhang needs these renovations urgently because it is too old, and there is a fear it may face collapse,” he stressed.

Residents make yearly contributions to celebrate and perform religious ceremonies at the Lhakhang, highlighting its importance in the community’s spiritual and cultural life. Despite these efforts, more substantial support is needed. “Everyone knows the importance of the Lhakhang, but we have an unseen need for its renovation,” said Zepa Tharchen Dorji, a 25-year-old resident of Taktse village. Dorji, who had not been to the Lhakhang for a long time, was saddened by its deteriorating condition after visiting following his college graduation. He emphasized the urgent need for renovations to preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Lhakhang.

Nim Dem, a 54-year-old resident of Taktse village, also raised concerns about the condition of the local Lhakhang. Dem said, “There is an urgent need to renovate the Lhakhang because the walls and parts of the statues are sadly falling down.” She emphasized the urgent need for repairs to prevent the Lhakhang from collapsing, especially if a natural calamity such as an earthquake strikes. “If an earthquake hits, there is a high chance the Lhakhang will not stand and will become just a story,” she warned. Despite feeling fortunate to visit such a historic site, Dem expressed worries about future generations. “We are lucky to visit a place like this, but I am concerned that future generations will not have the chance to visit or know about this Lhakhang if it is left without serious renovations,” she added.

Tashi Dorji, another resident of Taktse village, expressed concern about the Lhakhang, which has been the venue for all local rituals. He stated that the Lhakhang is gradually deteriorating. “The gewog Lama sought help from the gewog administration and managed to repair the roof. However, due to limited funds, they could not conduct comprehensive maintenance,” said Dorji. Local residents hope for further assistance to preserve this vital cultural and religious site.

The community of Taktse village continues to appeal for urgent restoration efforts to preserve the Taktse Sanga Choling Lhakhang. They stress that this historic temple is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of their cultural and spiritual heritage. The residents are determined to safeguard it for future generations, ensuring that the legacy of this ancient Lhakhang endures. The communityโ€™s collective voice highlights the critical need for immediate and comprehensive renovation efforts to prevent further deterioration and preserve the Lhakhang for posterity.

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