Punakha gears for Dechhog Khorlo Dompa

The 10 hotels in Khuruthang town, Punakha, have already been booked for the first public blessing of Dechhog khorlo dompa (Chakrasamvara) that begins on December 20.

“All nine rooms in our hotel has been booked,” manager of Shivling hotel, Tandin, said. “We’re booked for all 15 days of the wang (blessing).”

Given the limited lodging facilities in the dzongkhag, which serves as the winter residence of the central monastic body, because of its warmer climes, devotees have also booked traditional houses near the dzong. “Many devotees will have to pitch tents in Zomlingthang, and on the harvested paddy fields,” Punakha dzongda, Kunzang N Tshering, said.

The construction of the wangkhang (pavilion), where His Holiness the Je Khenpo will preside over the blessings, has begun at Thangzona, a flat area located behind the Punakha dzong, the venue of the royal wedding in October last year.

In front of the pavilion will be a public seating area to accommodate around 30,000 devotees.  The shed will be built with wooden poles and tarpaulin sheets as a roof.  The people of the dzongkhag will contribute poles.

To supplement the existing water supply of the dzong, water from the Mochu will be pumped in, and several water tanks will be borrowed from Punatshangchu projects.

The dzongkhag plans to put in place a number of dustbins to check littering. “Our main worry is sanitation and waste management.” dzongda Kunzang N Tshering said. “Given the mentality, waste could get out of control.”

Shuttle buses will also be provided to pick and drop devotees, mainly to ease congestion.  Devotees can catch the shuttle from Khuruthang, Lekithang and Zomlingthang, all areas close to the dzong.  No private vehicles will be allowed during the wang.

The zhung dratsang’s tshukla lopen, Samten Dorji, said since the Dechhog Khorlo Dompa is the main yedam (tutelary deity) of drukpa kagyu, the wang is sacred. “The blessings will also cover many other yedam deities,” he said.

Source: Kuenselonline