The largest thongdrœl in Bhutan, which is being created at Trashichhodzong, will be completed within a week, according to the coordinator, Gyeltshen.
The 90-foot long and 89-foot wide Kuenkhen Pema Karpo Thongdrœl was displayed at the courtyard of the dzong on November 6. Work began in 2005 and thirteen artists have been working daily on the thongdrœl.
As of now, the Zhabdrung Phuen Sum Tshogpa Thongdrœl in Punakha dzong is the biggest thongdrœl in the country.
According to Gyeltshen, the thongdrœl was constructed according to the wishes of late lam Sonam Zangpo. The thongdrœl is a replica of Kuenkhen Pema Karpo from the wall paintings in Doling Goenpa, painted by the 69th Je Khenpo, the late Geshey Geduen Rinchen.
Upon completion, the thongdrœl will be kept in the Punakha dzong. “The Zhabdrung Phuen Sum Tshogpa Thongdrœl in Punakha dzong is unfurled to the public only once in three years. The new thongdrœl will be unfurled when the Zhabdrung Thongdrœl is not unfurled,� said Gyeltshen.
The thongdrœl is being funded by the government and through private donations. According to Gyeltshen, the finance ministry donated Nu 1.0 million, the dratshang Nu 0.3 million and a total of Nu 1.7 million from other donors. The coordinator himself donated more than Nu 2.5 million towards the creation.
The total cost for the thongdrœl was estimated to be around 5.8 million, but the cost will be more than the estimation, according to the organizer.
Born in Tibet in 1526, Kuenkhen Pema Karpo was the founder of the Drukpa Kagyud lineage. The propagator of Drukpa Kagyud in Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel was the 1st reincarnation of Kuenkhen Pema Karpo. Source: Kuenselonline
