Geographical LocationTingkarong, Shingkhar gewog, Zhemgang district
Description
Tingkarong is located in Shingkar gewog under Zhemgang dzongkhag. From the main Zhemgang town, it takes a day by car to reach Shingkhar gewog because of the poor road condition. The temple is situated in the valley below Moyombi village. It is a small privately owned temple, and the caretaker is the owner, Aum Sonam Lhamo. She lives in the village with her young daughter. The name of the temple is called Tingkarong.
History
There is hardly any information on the temple’s history. According to Aum Sonam Lhamo, her grandfather Zow (carpenter) Tiule built the temple, and the probable date of the construction is early 20th century. The wooden structure had completely decayed because of weather and age. She says that her brother Yeshi Dorji (he lives in Thrisa village with his wife and children) helped her rebuild the exterior part of the temple to its original size in 1994. The rainwater seepage from the wooden shingles has damaged the wall paintings, and the owner says that she has not been able to restore the paintings to its original glory.
The oral sources say that there were many households in Tingkarong village; gradually, many relocated to other villages over the years. Today, the temple and the owner’s house are the only structures to stand in that remote place, Tingkarong.
Architecture and Artwork
The temple is a small one-storey traditional building of approximately 6 m/sq in size. Â The statues in the temple are Dorji Sempa (Vajrasattva) and Chana Dorji (Vajrapani). The main statue of the temple is Chukchizhay (11-faced Avalokitesvara), which was brought from Pangtey, Chume gewog, Bumthang. According to the owner, Dasho of Pangtey (father of the two Queens of the Second King) had presented the main statue to Zow Tiule, probably in appreciation for his construction of Pangtey lhakhang in Bumthang.
Unfortunately, the wall paintings are eroded and no longer visible now.
Social and Cultural Functions
Currently, no religious or other social function takes place in Tingkarong. During Aum Sonam Lhamo’s parents’ time, annual ritual and rituals on auspicious days were performed, but today the owner has no means to organize such functions.
Informant
Aum Sonam Lhamo, 38, owner, Tingkarong
Researcher
Choni Tshewang, Lecturer, College of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse, Trongsa, Royal University of Bhutan, 2017.
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Tingkarong Lhakhang
Description
Tingkarong is located in Shingkar gewog under Zhemgang dzongkhag. From the main Zhemgang town, it takes a day by car to reach Shingkhar gewog because of the poor road condition. The temple is situated in the valley below Moyombi village. It is a small privately owned temple, and the caretaker is the owner, Aum Sonam Lhamo. She lives in the village with her young daughter. The name of the temple is called Tingkarong.
History
There is hardly any information on the temple’s history. According to Aum Sonam Lhamo, her grandfather Zow (carpenter) Tiule built the temple, and the probable date of the construction is early 20th century. The wooden structure had completely decayed because of weather and age. She says that her brother Yeshi Dorji (he lives in Thrisa village with his wife and children) helped her rebuild the exterior part of the temple to its original size in 1994. The rainwater seepage from the wooden shingles has damaged the wall paintings, and the owner says that she has not been able to restore the paintings to its original glory.
The oral sources say that there were many households in Tingkarong village; gradually, many relocated to other villages over the years. Today, the temple and the owner’s house are the only structures to stand in that remote place, Tingkarong.
Architecture and Artwork
The temple is a small one-storey traditional building of approximately 6 m/sq in size. Â The statues in the temple are Dorji Sempa (Vajrasattva) and Chana Dorji (Vajrapani). The main statue of the temple is Chukchizhay (11-faced Avalokitesvara), which was brought from Pangtey, Chume gewog, Bumthang. According to the owner, Dasho of Pangtey (father of the two Queens of the Second King) had presented the main statue to Zow Tiule, probably in appreciation for his construction of Pangtey lhakhang in Bumthang.
Unfortunately, the wall paintings are eroded and no longer visible now.
Social and Cultural Functions
Currently, no religious or other social function takes place in Tingkarong. During Aum Sonam Lhamo’s parents’ time, annual ritual and rituals on auspicious days were performed, but today the owner has no means to organize such functions.
Informant
Aum Sonam Lhamo, 38, owner, Tingkarong
Researcher
Choni Tshewang, Lecturer, College of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse, Trongsa, Royal University of Bhutan, 2017.