Originally the gonpa was a small mud hermitage with thatch roof which was
distroyed by a fire. The present structure was built at the same site and is a
wooden structure with stone walls. The buuilding has inter-locking system of
wooden beams where no nails are required to hold them.
These wooden posts and beams can be seen in the third floor.
The monastery holds
some interesting artifacts such as a belltrance of the
Gonpa. It is said to have been brought from Tibet in the olden days by a trader
who wanted to sell it to the Gonpa for five Rupees.
As the
lamas could not afford it they requested for a discount to which the trader
refused. While the trader was on his way back without selling the bell
the bell gradually started getting heavier and heaver until it became so heavy
that he could not carry it any further. The trader, upon realizing that the
bell was actually meant for this Gonpa, decided to donate it to the Gonpa at
which point of time, all of a sudden, the bell became light again. He
brought the bell back and hung it at the main entrance, apologized to the
lamas and departed.
This bell still hangs at the same spot. Other interesting thing to see is
the Statue of Buddha at the main Altar, who once displayed its miraclculous
power. One morning, a monk on his puja duty saw the statue sweating profusely.
Alarmed by this incident the High Lamas were consulted. The High Lamas were
amazed to notice that a small pox epidemic that was raging in the
surrounding areas stopped spreading from this Gonpa upwards. Incredibly
no one from this Gonpa and areas above the Gonpa were inflicted with the
disease. The Statue is said to have absorbed the disease thus safeguarding the
people of the surrounding areas from the disease. The Gonpa presently has 35 Monks and
30 novice monks. The monastery functions all the religious ceremonies
throughout the year with annual mask dance in winter. |