While you hardly hear presence of an elephant in Thimphu
nonetheless be content with a motionless elephant on the rock.
You can see a self-created stone elephant on a rock cliff at
Kharsumchi (4 km from Chuzom to Thimphu Highway).
During road widening of Thimphu-Paro highway in 2008, there was
plan to cut and bull doze the cliff facing a Chorten at Kharsumchi to make space
for double line road. The other side was restricted due to deep valley.
When excavator operator stretched his boom bucket to cut the
cliff, three pythons appeared from nowhere, with hissing sound watched
furiously from the top of the cliff in total disagreement. The operator seeing
the snakes fainted and all of sudden the place became dreadful. The News also
appeared in Kuensel and BBS.
Luckily, as the cutting work stopped, the snakes also retreated
back inside the cliff. People considered this as a good sign that warned not to
destroy the cliff as it houses Jetsun Dema.
Thereafter, people started worshipping the snakes by offering
milk. Many visitors especially traveller continued to thronged the area to
offer their prayers and milks. During that period even a care taker (late Dagop
Wangchu) was appointed to look after the snakes and time-to-time offer the
milk.
Later, when the widening of road was completed by raising huge
retention wall on the other side without disturbing the cliff, the snake also
disappeared.
It is said that the Tara chorten on the adjacent, houses 21
Taras (Dema Neshu Chachi). During the consecration a count was made and found
one Tara missing. When search was carried, a voice was heard from the
cliff confirming she (Tara) was residing there.
It reminds how divine it was in the olden days. Bhutan was the
paradise for even God and goddess. The whitish image below the elephant ear was
considered Dolma Terma.
The eyes on the elephant were painted upon the
instruction by His Majesty the King. The Army from Wang Chumdo power Substation
did the job.
I always glance at the elephant whenever I
pass by. I have posted similar article in the year 2012 also.
Please behold the rock elephant whenever you
all pass by.
