The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel graced the Tashi Rabney and Sertog installation of the Utse of Tango Monastery on 6 December 2023.
The ceremony was presided over by the Dorji Lopen.
Tango Monastery, which was originally built in 1689 by the 4th Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgye, houses the Institute of Advanced Vajrayana Studies. Work on the Tango Utse started in December 2018, as the first phase of Tango Restoration Project implemented by the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development. The Reconstruction of the Utse was completed in November this year.
Tango Monastery is a religious site of great national importance. Besides being a historic landmark and an important school of Buddhism, the monastery houses ancient debri paintings of the Menlug tradition dating back to the 17th century. These paintings, using mineral pigments and intricate gold gildings, are a national and global heritage.
The reconstruction work was carried out with great care to ensure the structural integrity of this historic monument. The efforts resulted in the successful reintegration of 700 square meters of wall paintings, which were detached for preservation, back into the Utse- a pioneering achievement that reflects Bhutan’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage for posterity.
The second phase of the project will continue with the repair and reconstruction of the surrounding structures in the complex.
