Author: PTI
Publication: Mumbai Mirror
Date: November 28, 2010
URL: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=3&contentid=2010112820101128033301679e99bdf7c
Introduction: Arunachal govt is seeking Centre's
help to save the 330-yr-old Buddhist monument damaged by massive landslides
The famous Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is under imminent threat
of collapse following massive landslides around it. The 330-year-old monastery,
also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, which stands on the spur of a hill about
10,000 feet above sea level, is witnessing massive landslide around it since
Monday, officials said.
The landslide had already damaged the plantation
and some electric posts around the monastery located in Twang-chu valley of
Tawang district, they said.
Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu visited the site
on Friday to assess the damage and asked the district administration and public
works department to put their men and machine in place to contain further
damage to the site.
Khandu also said he would take up the matter
with the Centre to save the monastery, the second largest in Asia.
The monastery, belonging to the Gelugpa sect
of Buddhism, was founded by Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680 in compliance with
the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama.
The monastery has a three-storey library which
boasts of a collection of 400-year-old Kangyur scriptures, large collections
of Sutras, Tangym, Sungbhum, old books and invaluable manuscripts - both handwritten
and printed, many of them in gold.
The monastery has 65 residential buildings,
currently housing about 450 Lamas. It controls 17 gompas and a few nunneries
in the region.
