Figure1.

Bird eye view of Udzorong Village

Submitted By: MR. Kinzang Jamtsho

Index Number:
School: Jigmesherubling Central School
Grade: XII Arts “B”
Year: 2022
Subject: History Research Project
Title: Important Religious site present in Udzorong
Tutor: MR. Sushil Kumar Chaudhary

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

 1. Acknowledgment
Although I chose the topic for my history project, it would not have come to the
final one without the helping hands and the guidance from each individual.
Therefore, I would like to take this chance to thank those important people who
helped me to come up with this project.
Firstly, I would like to thank Mr. Sushil Kumar Chaudhary for his guidance and
inspiration in writing this project .Similarly my heartfelt gratitude goes to my
interviewees for sharing mesmerizing information and enlightening me with
infinite knowledge on this particular topic.
Moreover, I would like to thank my family for their support and dearest friends
who never fail to help me.
Finally, I would like to thank the school administration for providing us the
opportunities in exploring and finding some of the important religious sites and
other important relics.

2. Introduction
 Bhutan is regarded as one of the spiritually potent, filled with numerous Neys,
particularly those that have been blessed by spiritual masters. Similarly, Kharchen
Ney is a sacred place of very great person called Guru Rinpochoes and Damthang
Lhakhang founded by lam Sonam zangpo and later his follower lama Kelzang
Wangdi built the lhakhang with the nangten (main relic) of Guru both are located
in Trashigang, under Udzorong Gewog. It is considered as one of the sacred places
of the Guru Rinpochoe, as our elder generations believe that Guru Rinpochoe has
meditated for one full year in that particular place to subdue the devil deity called
Hungkala. Neys are the important source of revenue in Bhutan where it attracts the
attention of people from all over the world.
However, Kharchendra or Kharchen Ney is not as popular as other sacred places of
Guru Rinpochoe. Therefore, this study scrutinizes the origin history of Kharchen
Ney and reasons why its importance is unknown to this generation moreover this
study will also help us in understanding the importance of Damthang Lhakhang to
the community people. The finding of the study will also cover the significance of
Zambha Lha facing towards Gangkhardung village and furthermore, with the help
of questionnaires from the interview, it can also convince people about its
existence.

3. Problem statement
©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022
People from different countries visit our country mainly because of our unique
culture and beliefs. Moreover, Neys are the sources that attract the attention of the
people all over the world. However, Kharchen Ney located in Trashigang
Dzongkhag, is not as popular as other sacred places of Guru Rinpochoe. The reason
is since Kharchen Ney is located far from the main town. Similarly, as the village is
under developed, there is no proper access to the road.
After going through various related researches done on this topic and the opinion
from different interviewees, they have covered and provided only the surface
information about the Kharchen Ney. On top of that, no author has written an article
or published detailed knowledge or information about the Kharchen Ney. Therefore,
as its importance has been unrecognized by many, I am curious to know more about
it and also wanted to explore, expose and reveal its significant history so that people
of this generation can also preserve and promote its importance in near future.
Bhutan is a small country with less population. His majesty addressed to the nation
that “united we stand divided we fall” It is the culture that unites us. Udzorong, a
small village in eastern Bhutan also has a distinct culture and tradition. Religious
sites, mask dances and the lifestyle of the people greatly shape the world we live in.
As we all know that this unique culture and tradition are declining, it is our
responsibility to preserve it and promote the wellbeing of the nation. Therefore I have
particularly chosen this topic to find out some of the important religious sites present
in our village.

4. Research Question
1. Why do most people believe that udzorongpa are foolish?
2. Does your village have any important historical and spiritual sites?
3. In your village which architectural design is most popular?
4. Who is the founder of DAMTHANG LHAKHANG?

5. Why do you think DAMTHANG LHAKHANG was built?

6. Why do you think that the place came to be known as DAMTHANG?

7. What is the main religious relic (Nangten) in the Lhakhang?

8. What are some of the Significance of this Lhakhang?

9. What is the most special epic of the place?

10.What are some of the historical roles played by this lhakhang?

11.Why is it named as Kharchendra?

8. Can you describe a brief history or an origin of Kharchen?
12. Who is the main deity of kharchen?
13. Why did the lake of kharchen disappear?
14. Can you tell me the significance of Zamballa facing towards Gangkhardung?
15. What will happen if Kharchen tsechu is not performed once a year?
16. Why do people of this generation not know about its existence?
17. How did Kharchen come to be known as Gurus' sacred place?
18. What can you do to preserve and promote our old age culture and tradition?
19. What are the important religious activities celebrated in the lhakhang?
20. What is your concept of my place is my world?

5. Data collection.
©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022
 i.Dhamthang Lhakhang
Brief History
Damthang Lhakhang is located under Trashigang Dzongkhag.The place called
Chiya is blessed to have Damthang Lhakhang because it is considered to be the
important place in the udzorong community for its important role played in the
society.Lhakhang was founded by Lam Sonam Zangpo and later his follower Lam
Kelzang Wangdi built the Lhakhang with the Nangten (relic) of Guru. It was started
with just a small house by Lam Sonam Zangpo but later he ordered his follower
Lam Kelzang Wangdi to enlarge its size .The Lhakhang was surrounded by the
beautiful flowers and trees. In the past people from different places come together
and celebrate Tshechu and other religious functions because of that reason the
Lhakhang is considered as the most important place for every villager. Damthang is
one of the plain places .The plain ground is used for keeping cattle especially during
monsoon season .Near the Lhakhang there is inhabitant of humans mainly for the
purpose of meditation and other religious activities. Every year people conduct
Tshechu to please local deities and if they don’t conduct Tsechu and Drupchen on
time they believe that it would bring bad omen in the village. During that time one
exchange program is there where monastic bodies conduct religious activities for
the welfare of the people and in return people offer materials and ration to the
monastic body.

Historical role
Lhakhang in our country plays an integral role in the history of Bhutan. They are
mostly believed to be the house of god and it is the place where our people worship
and pay their homage. They are found in every nook and corner of the country
similarly Damthang Lhakhang is also a place where our people worship and conduct
important religious activities including Tsechu, Drupchens,Rimdro and many more.
 Festival celebrated at the Lhakhang
Tsechu are the most popularly celebrated religious activities in the Lhakhang. It is
celebrated in memory of Guru Rinpoche and other religious figures to please them
and to get blessings from them. In a similar way religious activities like Drupchen,
Nuyen, Karpo Chaja and rimdro are conducted to please the local deities. One
interesting fact about Lhakhang is that they also celebrated the Kuchoe (Death
ceremony) of the founder, none other than Lam Sonam Zangpo. During the festival
people from various places come together and collectively they conduct religious
activities.

Figur2.
Damthang Lhakhang
Figure 3.kanjur and Tenjur

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

Fig4.Lam Sonam Zangpo (Founder) fig 5.Stupa built by him

Fig 6.chams (mask dance)

ii.Kharchen Ney
The significant background history of Kharchen Ney
Kharchen Ney is not as popular as the other sacred places. It existed long ago
during the time of Guru Rinpochoe. Its existence was known only by the villages
and remained unknown to the other regions. However, it is considered as one of the
sacred places of Guru Rinpochoe, as our elder generation believes that Guru
Rinpochoe has meditated for one full year in that particular place to subdue the
devil deity called Hungkala.

Kharchen Tsechu
Kharchen Tsechu is celebrated once a year, where people from Daksa and Tsaling
sponsor for the offering. (Dendrup, 2009). Before people from different villages
like Bimkhar, Bayling, Baney, Tsaling and Gangkhardung used to come together
to celebrate and also sponsor village wise for Kharchen tsechu but in between such
practices had come to halt and moreover, its significance is at the verge of
extinction.

Significance of the study

The reason why Kharchen remained unknown to many is because there is no one
who is interested in exploring the legendary history of the past. Moreover, as a
history student I am taking this chance to inspect and investigate the glory of
Kharchen so as to prevent annihilation in future.

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

Fig7. Kharchen Ney Fig8. Guru Rinpoche

Fig9. Ney Fig10.Inside view of Ney

7. Data analysis and Interpretation
The finding of the study is analyzed using two qualitative approaches such as
interviews and questionnaires. The main qualitative data gathered from the
interviewees are analyzed thematically to bring up the themes on origin,
significance, and also on its sacred places. The data collection from different fields
like interviews and questionnaires are organized into themes of the study.
Moreover, management of data, acronym coding is used to its relevance. Similarly,
the data collected using content analysis methods in the form of oral accounts such
as voice recording and photographs are analyzed through thematic analysis.
Kharchen Ney is actually called Kharchen Dra which means a group of huge cliffs.
It is the auspicious place of Guru Rinpochoe who had resided for one year
subduing the demonic force. The title Kharchen Dra is given through significant
reason, Khar means “a self-arisen home and which is built like a chorten” and also
its importance is measured parallel to Kharchen of Tibet. There are around
eighteen different auspicious places where visitors can view and get blessings like,
a mansion of Dorji phamo, Guru`s pavilion, a self- existent sea shell and a self-
existent gilded fish, etc.
Moreover, there is Zambhala (yidam), the god of wealth facing towards
Gangkhardung village. Therefore, people believe Gangkhardung people are
blessed with exotic cattle because of him. The main deity of Kharchen Ney is
considered to be deity Hungkarla, because during the auspicious offerings people
pay their worship towards him.

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

Interviewee; Chador Dema (Her perspectives)

Figure 13. Grandma

1. Do you believe that udzorongpa are stupid?

Answer: people across the country considered that udzorongpa are foolish but from
my point of view I don’t think so because they are the one who have taken revenge
on the cruel leader including dzongpoen and poenlops in the past. They used their
intelligence power but then some people even blame Udzorongpa for their unusual
knowledge but to conclude I should say that we the udzorongpa are not foolish rather
we are the most intelligent and wise people in the society. So to make my view
interesting I will narrate you one story, here it goes
Once upon a time when Trashigang Dzong was built, from every village people had
to go and render help in construction works. Maybe that was a 'woola' which was
common in the past and abolished this system later by our kings. Mr. Udzorongpa
was one among other people for the services. He was made to fetch water for the
construction. As days passed, he faded up from this work and planned to go home
and take a rest. One day he planned to fall down from the ladder, a wooden container
with water on his back. When no one was around him he threw that container and
water from above. He immediately came down on the ground and pretended as if he
was unconscious. So many gathered later around him and worried he was dying.
After that, the head instructed to feed him boiled butter so that he could wake up and
feel better. He was fed with a spoon, maybe a bit less quantity in his mouth and in his
subconscious, he said, "Kar, kar, kar". Actually he meant to say to be fed by "Karbu",
a sharchop term for ladle. Then they discussed and planned to spare him for some
days for leave as he couldn't do anything productively. He was escorted by a man
from another village to his village. Mr. Udzorongpa used a stick to pretend that he
even couldn't walk well. As they were about to reach his village, he asked his escort
friend to go back to Dzong as he could now easily reach his home. He accepted it and
went back. From the distance, he saw Mr. Udzorongpa throwing away the stick and
happily singing and going home. So the famous name came as "Udzorongpa
Changan", a cunning Udzorongpa but in reality they are intelligent.

2. Why is it named Kharchen?

Answer: Kharchen Ney is actually called Kharchen Dra which means a group of
huge cliffs. It is sacred place of Guru Rinpoche as Guru Rinpochoe has resided
there for one year subduing the demonic force.
3. How did Kharchen come to be known as Gurus' sacred place?
Answer: I don’t know how but when I was your age, my parents used to say it is
Guru’s sacred place where Guru Rinpochoe meditation there for one full year.
Therefore, we also started to worship as we believed our parents.
4. Who is the main deity of the Kharchen Ney?
Answer: It is believed that during the time of Guru’s stay in Kharchen, he subdued
the demon called Hungkala and turned him into the protective deity of the Ney.
Therefore, the main deity of Kharchen Ney is considered to be deity Hungkala.
Because during the auspicious offerings people pay their worship towards him.

Interviewee: Gup Dorji Tshering (His perspectives)

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

Figure 14.Udzorong gup

1. Can you narrate the origin story of Kharchen Ney?

Answer: As mentioned earlier, Kharchen Ney is actually called Kharchen Dra
which means a group of huge cliffs. It is the auspicious place of Guru Rinpoche as
Guru has resided there for one year subduing the demonic force. The title
Kharchen Dra is given through significant reason, Khar means ‘a self-raising home
which is built like a chorten’ and also its importance is measured parallel to
Kharchen of Tibet. Before, it was believed that the demonic force of Hungkala
used to harm the lives of people nearby and sometimes the cattle of the villagers
are missing and never returned. But after the visit of the great teacher everything
was blessed and became a source of miracle to the nearby villages. There are
around eighteen different sacred places where visitors can view and get blessings
like, a mansion of Dorji phamo, Guru’s pavilion, a self-existent sea shell and self-
existent gilded fish and many more.
2. Can
you tell me the significance of Zambhala facing towards the
Gangkhardung village?
Answer: I don’t know what others might say about this but I truly believe that the
story of Zamballa facing towards Gangkhardung. That there is Zambhala lha
(yidam), the god of wealth facing towards Gangkhardung village where elder
 people believe that Gangkhardung people are blessed with exotic cattle because of
him. Therefore, they still pray for their good fortunes and wealth.
3. What will happen if Kharchen tsechu is not performed once in a
year?
Answer: Till now we didn’t skip Kharchen tsechu once it was revived in 2019. But
we cannot predict what will happen if we do not perform the ritual. Most of us
believe that if we do not offer the offerings to our deity, it causes misfortunes and
brings other disasters that hamper our life. Similarly, I believe such things might
happen if we fail to offer our worship.

4. Why do people of this generation not know about its existence?

Answer: Today, though people nearby know its existence, they hardly care to visit
and some people visit during the auspicious day but it is infrequent. The reason can
be that Kharchen Ney is located far from the main town. Moreover, the village is
underdeveloped, where there is no proper access to the road. It approximately takes
five to six hours to reach the destination. It is disheartening to know that people
from this generation do not know about its existence. After all we cannot blame
this generation because the villagers nearby should have taken better care of the
Ney and should have looked for the intervention to attract more tourists to show its
importance.
5. In the past, how did people of different villages organize the
Kharchen tsechu?
Answer: It is said that before people from different villages like Bimkhar ,
Baylling, Baney, Tsaling and Gangkhardung used to come together to celebrate
and also sponsor village wise for Kharchen tsechu but in between its significance
were unknown to many and its importance are at the verge of extinction.
Nowadays there is no such culture to sponsor village wise, but there are some
devoted individuals who sponsor for the Kharchen tsechu. Therefore, I can say that
it is not the time that changes but it’s the people who change.

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

Data Interpretation
Interviewee: Sonam Tshering (His perspectives)

Figure 15.Grandpa

1. Why is it named Kharchen?

Answer: The title Kharchen Dra is given through significant reason, Khar means ‘a
self-arisen home and which is built like a chorten’ and Chen basically means ‘big’.
By its name itself we know the origin of its name.
2. How did Kharchen come to be known as Gurus' sacred place?
Answer: I don’t know how but when I was your age, my parents used to say it is
Guru’s sacred place where Guru Rinpochoe meditated there for one full year.
 Therefore, we also started to worship as we believed our parents.
3.Does anybody stay there in Kharchen as a guard and to guide the
pilgrims?
Answer: No, there is no one to stay there to guide the Ney and also there is no one
who leads pilgrims. There is a small house or Tsamkhang (Hermitage) where
people can keep their things during their visit but now it has also become too old
and needs maintenance soon.

4.Who is the main deity of the Kharchen Ney and why do we celebrate
tsechu?
Answer: The name of the deity is obviously Hungkala as we celebrate Kharchen
tsechu to please him and get blessings.

Interviewee; Jurme Tenzin (His perspective)

Figure 16.Lama (head of religion)

1. Can you narrate the origin story of Kharchen Ney?

Answer: As mentioned earlier, Kharchen Ney is actually called Kharchen Dra
which means a group of huge cliffs. It is the auspicious place of Guru Rinpoche as
©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022
Guru has resided there for one year subduing the demonic force. The title Kharchen
Dra is given through significant reason, Khar means ‘a self-raising home which is
built like a chorten’ and also its importance is measured parallel to Kharchen of
Tibet. Before, it is believed that the demonic force of Hungkala used to harm the life
of people nearby and sometimes the cattle of the villagers went missing and never
returned. But after the visit of the great teacher, everything was blessed and became
a source of miracle to the nearby villages. There are around eighteen different
sacred places where visitors can view and get blessings like, a mansion of Dorji
phamo, Guru’s pavilion, a self- existent sea shell and self-existent gilded fish and
many more.
2. Can you tell me the significance of Zambhala facing towards the
Gangkhardung village?
Answer: : Yes, I have seen the lord of wealth facing Gangkhardung village, as well
all know Zamballa ‘the god of wealth’, elders believe that as it faces
Gangkhardung village, people residing in that particular place are blessed with
wealth and prosperity. Moreover, they are blessed with exotic cattle with different
colors.
3. What will happen if Kharchen tsechu is not performed once in a year?
Answer: I believe that there will be an occurrence of misfortunes because while
visiting Kharchen if people make unreasonable noises, it causes hell stone where it
damages villagers’ crops.

4. Why do people of this generation not know about its existence?

Answer: It may be because of its location where it is located in a rural area where
there is no access to the modern developments.

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

Figure 11. Zamballa Ney

Fig 12.Dorjee Phamoi Ney Khang Dra

 8. Conclusion
To conclude, as the importance of Kharchen Ney and Damthang lhakhang has
been unrecognized by many, this study explores and exposes the significant history
and as well as develops people`s creativity on attracting more tourists in near
future. Similarly, it is to inform people of this generation, so that they can also
preserve and promote its importance. Furthermore, after going through various
related researches done on this topic and the interviews, one can conclude that the
way to Kharchen Ney and Dhamthang lhakhang is located in the village which is
under developed, where there is no proper access to the road which leads to lesser
attention of tourists. Some researchers have covered and provided only the surface
information about the Kharchen Ney and Damthang Lhakhang. Therefore, I found
it is important to expose the origin of Kharchen Ney and Damthang Lhakhang,
whose significance is on the verge of extinction. Moreover, I would advocate the
researchers to explore further on this particular topic so that we can preserve and
promote our existing holy places. As a youth it is our duty to preserve our unique
practices that we have and to pass that uniqueness to our generation. In the sense
we have to keep away the bad practices and in turn we have to adopt good one.
Here my main intention behind choosing this topic is to impart values to our youths
that we all must preserve and promote our unique culture for the wellbeing of the
nation. I have done research on the important religious site present in our village.

©Copyright Kinzang Jamtsho XII AB 2022

6. Methodology
PARTICIPENT SELECTION

PROVISIONAL REASON FOR GENDER AGE PLACE

GROUP
PARTICIPENT SELECTING
● He is the head of MALE 40-50 Mankhar
our village. He is
well educated and
must have rich
knowledge about
our village and can
provide the most
realistic
information.
1.Gup, Dorji Tshering

● She is my grandma. FEMALE 70-80 Gongts

She always tells eri
stories about our
village and how our
village got its name
as udzorong.

2. Chador Dema

● He is my MALE 70-80 Chiya

grandfather and
also a monk. He
used to narrate
stories from the
religious point of
view and he might
 have a rich
knowledge about
our village and can
provide the most
realistic
information.

3.Sonam Tshering

● He is the head of MALE 80-90 Mongka

religion in our
village. Who had a
rich knowledge on
how our people
have taken revenge
on the cruel leader
including poenlop,
dzongpoen and
other local leaders
and also about the
religious site in my
village.
4.Meme,Jurmi Tenzin

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