Itanagar:
The monks at the over 300-year-old Tawang Monastery in Arunachal
Pradesh, the largest in Asia, are praying and lighting butter lamps
before a colossal gilded statue of Lord Buddha because of the
threat to its existence by landslides.
Massive landslides in September and December last year triggered
by torrential rain occurred just below the monastery, founded by
Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-81.
The monastery, which is home to over 570 monks, stands on the
spur of a hill, about 10,000 feet above sea level and offers a
picturesque view of the Tawang-chu valley.
"The monastery is not only national property, but the priceless
property of the entire world. If concrete steps are not taken in
time, there is every possibility that continuous rainfall in summer
and snowfall in winter will result in more landslides and complete
damage to it," Guru Tulku Rinpoche, Abbot of the monastery
said.
"We have apprised His Holiness the Dalai Lama and he advised us
to perform pujas and take up massive plantation around the
monastery to protect it," the abbot said.
