Event: Guru Tshengye Thongdrel, which is more than a hundred years old, was displayed for the public at Trongsa Dzong to mark Zhabdrung Kuchoe yesterday.

Hundreds of devotees received blessing from the thongdrel and offered their prayers to Zhabdrung. The 12-metre by 3-metre thongdrel was made under the command of Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel.

Tensum clerk, Jambay, said the thongdrel was not displayed for public viewing since the reign of the Third Druk Gyalpo.

Senior monks of Choerab Dratshang said the thongdrel is made out of a superior silk quality called Banaraza, which is available in Varanasi, India.

Jambay said the thongdrel is usually stored in the Thong Lhakhang. “The thongdrel was displayed only in the Goenkhang during the seven-day annual Dechog khorlo Dompai ritual.” Jambay. Dechog khorlo Dompai ritual is conducted from the fourth day till 10th of the 12th month of the Bhutanese calendar.

Tashi, from Drangla in Trongsa, said he last saw the thongdrel when the His Majesty The Fourth King was crowned as Trongsa Penlop. “I am lucky to see this again after so many years.”

About 25 relics of Trongsa Dzong were also displayed for public viewing.

The dzongkhag administration and the dratshang offered Kusung Thukten Mendrel to the thongdrel.

Nima Wangdi | Trongsa