Buddhist monastery in Arunachal Pradesh introduces dances of two deities

These monastic dances will be an annual feature after 11-12 lunar months, chief monk Khenpo Ngima Tashi said

The dances of two deities introduced at Jang Palpung Zangdok Palri Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district on Thursday, March 30, 2023. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

GUWAHATI

The dances of two deities were introduced in a major Buddhist monastery in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district on Thursday.

Villagers of Jang and surrounding areas converged at the Jang Palpung Zangdok Palri Monastery to witness the dances of deities Palden Lhamo and Gonpo, or Mahakala.

Jang is about 40 km short of Tawang town.

“These monastic dances would be an annual feature after 11-12 lunar months,” the monastery’s chief monk, Khenpo Ngima Tashi said.

Tawang’s Deputy Commissioner, Kesang Ngurup Damo commended the monastery inmates and the Buddhist community beyond for the hard work put in to learn the monastic dance and manage the costumes.

“We need to preserve our culture and tradition apart from promoting our mother tongue,” he said, appealing specifically to the younger generation.

Mr. Damo and Tawang Zila Parishad chairman Leki Gombu distributed blankets and jackets to all the monks of the monastery. The blankets and jackets were provided by Gurgaon-based Hans Foundation, with support from Arunodaya Welfare, a local NGO.