Chencho Dema

Punakha—As part of the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development’s heritage conservation efforts, the 18th-century wooden choetens at Kabji Choeten Ningpo in Kabisa, Punakha have been restored.

The restoration project was funded by the Gyalyum Charitable Trust under the patronage of Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck.

The project, which began in April last year, was successfully completed on October 31. The estimated budget for the restoration was approximately Nu 2.5 million.

The Tashi Rabney (consecration ceremony) of these restored choetens was conducted yesterday.

The ceremony was graced by Her Majesty Queen Mother Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Ashi Euphelma Choden Wangchuck, Home Minister Tshering, and Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Employment Namgay Dorji.

The principal of Kabji Choeten Ningpo, Lam Nado, said that the choetens were sculpted in the 18th century during the reign of 18th Druk Desi Jigme Sengye.

The choetens were sculpted in the 18th century during the reign of 18th Druk Desi Jigme Sengye

At Choeten Ningpo, there are nine wooden stupas, including two larger ones— the Jangchub Choeten and Namgyel Choeten— which originally stood at 14 feet in height.

In addition, seven smaller choetens, all made of wood and ranging from 3 to 4 feet tall, are believed to represent the Eight Great Stupas, though the Stupa of Parinirvana is absent.

These choetens were once adorned with polychrome colours, but over time, the layers of dirt and dust have dulled their vibrancy, diminishing both their aesthetic appeal and spiritual significance.

Lam Nado said that the many young monks were falling ill and according to astrological interpretations, this was due to the deteriorating condition of the chortens. “We then appealed for immediate conservation efforts to protect these sacred structures.”

An assessment of the chortens revealed extensive damage to the 14-foot Jangchub and Namgyel choetens, with severe insect infestation compromising their wooden structures.

The chief chemist with the DCDD, Rinzin Namgyel said that major restoration work was performed on the two large choetens. “Much of the wood had deteriorated into frass, rendering it unusable and necessitating urgent intervention to preserve these sacred relics,” he said.

The original zung (sacred relics) from the old choetens were preserved and incorporated into the new structures.

Lam Nado also constructed two new smaller wooden choetens.

The seven smaller chortens, while also damaged and missing some components, were found to be in a state that permitted comprehensive cleaning and restoration efforts.

However, the decorative motifs and paintings on the refurbished chortens, which were intended to be embellished with gold, remain unfinished due to the unavailability of gold powder and limited funding.

The site of the present Lhakhang was first identified by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455–1529) in the 16th century. After Tango Monastery was offered to him as his seat in Thimphu, Lama Drukpa Kuenley chose the current location of Choeten Ningpo as his and his successors’ winter residence.

Jetsun Tenzinma, the sister of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, later settled at Choeten Ningpo, where Tenzin Rabgye subsequently built a small temple on the site.

In the 18th century, the 18th Druk Desi, Jigme Sengye (who reigned from 1776–88), expanded the structure, giving it its current form.

The main statue of the Lhakhang is of Jowo Jampa (Maitreya Buddha), flanked by statues of Jampelyang (Manjushri) and Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara). The walls of the four-storey Lhakhang are adorned with murals, likely created during the same period as the artwork at Tango Monastery.