Chencho Dema
Punakha: Funding for a long-awaited Changyuel Galem’s house restoration project is finally expected to be disbursed by the end of the first quarter of 2025, with Euro 130,000 (approximately Nu 10 million) pledged by a donor agency last year.
However, the disbursement of the funds was subject to the donor’s decision, and the budget was not released.
An official from the home ministry said, “Additionally, the restoration project requires expertise and prior experience in heritage conservation work. We have encountered significant challenges in hiring private firms with the necessary qualifications and experience for this specialised task.”
The project’s commencement, as originally planned, has been delayed due to two key challenges: funding setbacks and difficulty in securing qualified firms with expertise in heritage conservation.
The historic Changyuel Galem’s house, located just a few meters from the iconic Punakha Dzong, is now enclosed by a protective fence.
According to the official, the primary goal of restoring Galem’s house is to preserve its Cultural Heritage Values (CHV). These values encompass the aesthetic, architectural, archaeological, historical, scientific, religious, or spiritual significance deemed important to Bhutan, as defined by the Cultural Heritage Bill of Bhutan.
The restoration work focuses on preserving the architectural and historical integrity of the structure to maintain its authenticity. An adaptive reuse approach has been incorporated into the project to aid in its rehabilitation, which includes creating a display gallery and building a café.
This strategy promotes the sustainable use of the heritage site while generating economic returns to support its ongoing management.
“With the restoration and rehabilitation of the Galem’s house, the religious and cultural activities that form the intangible cultural heritage will also be safeguarded,” the official said.
The renovation work is set to begin promptly once the donor agency releases the budget, with the project expected to take 18 months to complete.
Galem’s house will serve as a model and inspiration for the conservation of vernacular houses in Bhutan. It will be open to both locals and tourists, allowing them to experience the cultural and historical significance of the house firsthand.
Further, the religious and cultural activities that are practised at the house will continue.
The house will also serve as a research resource to study the vernacular architecture, conservation practices, etc.
The descendants of the Galem have been historically an important part of the house and even today, they continuously take an active part in the cultural and religious functions that are significant to Punakha and the country.
The family was involved during the research and preparation of the proposal phase.
The ownership of the house will continue to be with the family and are provided with the opportunity to invest in the infrastructure developments.
After the renovation works, they will operate and manage the house.
Galem’s house, located about 850 metres from the Punakha Dzong, holds significant cultural importance in the heritage of Punakha. Its historical connection dates back to the time of Zhabdrung, further deepening its cultural value.
The house offers soelthap (a reception offering) to Goendrap, a local deity, on the 15th day of the 9th month of the Bhutanese calendar. Goendrap resides in Punakha during the winter and in Gasa during the summer.
On the 29th day of the 12th month of the Bhutanese calendar, Kabji Pazaps bring the tshendhar (fringed warrior banner) of Gayngyen Jakpa Melen, the guardian deity of Thimphu, from Pangrizampa. The banner is then displayed for five days at the Thudrup Lhakhang in Etsukha village, located in Kabisa, Punakha.
On the 5th day of the first month of the Bhutanese calendar, after the Lhabsang Thruesel ceremony at the Thudrup Lhakhang, the Pazaps carry the Tshendhar to Punakha Dzong. During their journey, when they reach Changyul Galem’s house, they offer marchang to the tshendhar before continuing on to their camp at Thangzona.
On the first day of the Punakha Domche, the Kabji Pazaps bring the tshendhar to Changyuel Galem’s house early in the morning. Representatives of Galem’s house offer Marchang and Sho to the Tshendhar and serve refreshments to the Pazaps and their entourage. The Pazaps perform bae and lema in front of the tshendhar before continuing their journey to the Dzong via the Bazam, singing and dancing along the way.
The male descendants of Galem still play an active role in the above functions.
Galem’s house stands as a significant attraction in Punakha, and its renovation is crucial to preserving the legend of Gasa Lamai Singye and Changyul Bum Galem.
Conservation practice in Bhutan
UNESCO defines the conservation of cultural heritage as the actions taken to prolong the life of cultural heritage while enhancing the transmission of its meaningful messages and values. In the realm of cultural property, the goal of conservation is to preserve both the physical and cultural attributes of an object, ensuring its value remains intact and that it endures beyond our finite existence.
Heritage site conservation focuses on protecting the physical and cultural characteristics that define their value, ensuring the preservation of their key attributes. In short, conservation projects aim to maintain all values associated with these sites.
Bhutan currently follows a “values-based protection” approach in its conservation projects. This approach focuses on safeguarding the Cultural Heritage Values (CHV) of a site, as outlined in the Cultural Heritage Bill of Bhutan (CHB-2016).
The CHV is assessed based on the site’s attributes, forming the foundation for planning and implementing conservation efforts.