The community kitchen is done and the sacred paintings of my temple are complete too. This is the latest update from Lamga village.

For those who were not following my work there, the village is a new settlement of mainly people from Zizi in Phobjikha. Lamga is the last village along Harachu valley and beyond it is wilderness of Black Mountains of central Bhutan.

The permanent houses were built by Tarayana in 2008-10. However, the inhabitants had no place to meet or conduct their monthly rituals. They were doing religious ceremony every month, sometimes twice, under tarpaulin sheets. In monsoon season, it was a disaster. This really shocked me and I promised them that I will look into it.

In 2015, I agreed to sponsor the construction of the community temple. And in my usual way, we worked when I had money, stopped when I was broke, and resumed again. After four years we completed the works. It took some time but it is done. The temple has Tshela Namsum – Tshepamay, Namgyelma and Drolma as the main statues and place is blessed by His Eminence Gangtey Trulku, who also committed to grant the debri (mural painting).

Last March, when I had self-quarantined there, we decided to do a community kitchen, wooden flooring and bring drinking water. I also deputed a painter from Bumthang to do the sacred paintings. One important remaining work is installation of serto (golden pinnacle). Anyone wants to be the sponsor?

Unplanned tendrel

The groundbreaking and the foundation works on the temple was conducted on the day HRH The Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel was born. It was done by the villagers without any prior planning. In local belief, unplanned tendrels are the most auspicious. The villagers are very proud of this sacred coincidence.

Getting there:

From Taksha Range Office along Wangdue -Tsirang Highway, veer left and follow the farm road to Rukha. At 17km, at Dolepchen, there is bifurcation. The right one goes to Rukha. Go straight till there is no road left 😂

Where to stay:

Chorten Tshering and his family have a tourist-standard home-stay house if you want to spend a night in the village. Toilet attached to the house with shower plus hot stone bath. The Harachu is believed to have medicinal effects – known since ancient time.

The village is perfect to detox from the social media and unplug from the world. And get some mantras done at the temple. It is the quietest place on Earth. The Lamgaps are simple and generous people.

Best time to visit:

From month of October till May.