Gorgoen
Thekcho Choling Lhakhang was built in the twenty century at the command of the
First King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck after Lam Sherab Gyaltsho entreated it to
His Majesty the King.
The monastery
is located below 4th Zhabdrung Jigme Norbu’s Gorgoen Paljor Choling
Lhakhang at Gogona at an altitude of 3000 meters above Phojikha village.
As per
the feedback received from many lamas that visited this beautiful monastery, it
was considered as one of best in terms of architectural design.
The main altar
design with intricate curving was also one of the best in the country. The walls
are painted with beautiful murals of god and goddesses.
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| (Illustration of First King of Bhutan) |
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| (Illustration of Second King of Bhutan) |
The main statue in the center is the thousand-armed Avalokiteśvara flaked by Guru Tshengay, Chenrigzig with
companions and other deities. Inside there is a Goenkha that houses Goem Maney
Puti, Cherig, Chuchi zhey etc. There is also Namsi Tsheringma deities kept
concealed.
I was also shown one special conch, which is
a relic of the monastery. It is said that after consecration of the new
monastery, one man appeared from nowhere to sell this conch. As a sign of good
omen it was procured. The man was not known to anyone in villages.
In one corner many wooden templates for
printing religious scriptures are hung. These blocks were used in olden times
to do mass printing prayer flags etc. Today it is hardly used, as any religious
scriptures both in papers and cloths are readily available.
At the entrance of the monastery there are
two special sticks with First King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck’s seal to be used
for disciplining purposes.
The type of religious activities that is
undertaken at the monastery is still based on the kasho (Royal decree) of His
Majesty the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. I was curious and requested Dorje
Lopen to view the kasho in good faith as such I had an access to it.
It was great opportunity for me to visit His
Majesty the First King’s monastery at Gogona after having visited the Second
King’s Kuenga Rabten palace in Trongsa.
Please visit to feel the greatness of this
monastery and also connect to our monarch’s heritage.
