UGYEN GATSHEL LAKHANG, RADHI


The temple was founded by Abi Pema and Mammy Gyeltshen in 1968

UGYEN GATSHEL LAKHANG: 

The lhakhang is located in Joenla village in Radhi Gewog, Trashigang Dzongkhag, 5 km from Rangjung town on the way to Merak and Phongmay and close to the road head.

The local people said that Ugyen Gatshel lhakhang was founded by Abi Pema and Mammy Gyeltshen of Joenla village in 1968. 

Without any written sources and in the absence of Karchag (Chronicles) it is difficult to determine the exact year of its construction. Many local people of Joenla, states that it is about 57 years old. Based on this, the most likely date related to its origin is 1968. 

Before temple it was small water wheel (Chukhor Mani), the people of Joenla village used for irrigation to paddy field. Later, constructed a small temple for placed to Nyungney and after few years the old temple still exists close by the present lhakhang and but again, both the year of the construction and enlarged by the people of Joenla Tshetse and Joenla pam village.

Since, its construction in 1968, it has been renovated. Restoration works were carried out in the 1970s for the first time. Later, in 2022, it was renovated by the people of Joenla Tshetse and Joenla pam chewog with support from the Royal Government of Bhutan.  The enlarged the courtyard and tiles work are done in year ended of 2024 with support of donation. At the present the lhakhang is under the guidance of venerable Lama Younten Phuntsho and has about 40 Gomchens (lay monks).

Founder of Mask Dance in Joenla, the Garpa Megtey, after his appointment as the Garpa (Superviser head of the villager) of Joenla village, he got married with Abi Jangchuk and he is expert in Kuencham served as Chamjug in Youdrung Chholing Dzong in Trongsa. He is from Trongsa. Later, with advise, people of Joenla to learn mask dance and still performed today. The festival dates of  Joenla Ugyen Gatshel Lakhang is on 30th Day of 10th Month in Bhutanese calendar.

Mask Dance

Tiles Work