Renovation


By 2013 there was very limited monastic activity. Tukuche has lost much of its population due to changes in trade routes and rural urban migration suffered by many small villages. This first occurred in the 1960s when China tried to restrict movement of Tibetans and most recently during the 2008 Olympics. Lama Shashi Dhoj Tulachan an artist from Tukuche village, is responsible for the continued management of the gompa and is seeking support for its physical and spiritual renovation now that the restoration work at Chhairo gompa is complete.

The main lhakhang was restored in the 2000s. A stupa was constructed in the courtyard in memory of a Japanese man, married to a local Nepali, who was a donor for the reconstruction works.

Climate change has led to more intense rainfall in this historically rain shadow area. Water ingress and damaged roof timbers required roof repairs to start in 2015, which were eventually completed after a short hiatus due to lack of funds. Shrine imagery was removed whilst the roof was replaced. A number of items remain with individual villagers although the work is completed.

 

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Before and after roof

Existing frescoes beneath new roof timbers

Reconstruction of the tulku and lama quarters in a plot to the north of the lhakhang is the next major activity, to enable enthronement of the current tulku.  Until such time as this funding for the renovation and reconstruction is raised, there is limited activity at the gompa. The unstable rooms to the north have been partially dismantled and the timbers stacked with the hope of reuse.

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Stacked timbers of dismantled upper floor