26 April, 2008 - His Majesty the King, His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo and members of the royal family attended a quiet and sacred ceremony to consecrate the Lungchu-tse monastery above Dochu-la pass, which has been expanded and completely restored.
The former Machhen Zimpon, Lam Kado, who led the consecration ceremony on April 25, offered the trashi-dzey-gye to His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Kusung Thugten Mendrel to His Majesty the King. The entire gathering joined the circumambulation of the lhakhang during the ceremony.
The Lungchu-tse monastery, a fine example of Bhutan’s spiritual and artistic traditions, is perched on a strategic and scenic ridge, 3,656 metres above sea level. The site enjoys a magnificent vista of endless undulating ridges that roll down to the great plains of India.
The monastery is surrounded by a verdant mixed forest that changes colours through the seasons. It is dominated by tall rhododendron trees and, in spring, the entire area is a galaxy of rhododendron flowers of all shades. A variety of wildlife inhabits the pristine forests throughout the year.
Lungchu-tse is the seat of Terton Drukda Dorji, who is believed to have prophesized the birth of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo two and a half centuries ago. According to the Tensoi Lapon, Dasho Zoepon Wangchuk, the Terton had prophesized that a King would be born in the year of the Wood Sheep in a place called Wamtang, the former name for Dechenchholing.
The head lama, Lopon Karma Gyeltshen, said that the monastery carried special historical significance. The main nangten of the lhakhang is a giant image of Guru Padmasambhava and the inner temples house sacred images that have been preserved through the ages.
The restoration was initiated and funded by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck as a tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. It is a dedication of love and reverence for the Druk Gyalpo and the Bhutanese Monarchy.
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