| Name: | Drametse Thekchok Namdrol Ugyen choeling lhakhang |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Lhakhang |
| Level: | Registered Heritage Building |
| Category: | Heritage Building |
| Founder: | Ani Choeten Zangmo |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | 1511 | 16 |
| No. of Floor | 3floor |
| Main Wall | Stone wall |
| Location: | Dramitse, Mongar |
| Current Use: | Shedra |
| Ownership: | Latrul |
| Coodinates: | 27:18:56.886N; 91:26:12.684E |
The most notable Drametse lhakhang was founded by Ani Choeten Zangmo (yogini) in 1511. Drametse literally is referred to as a “peak without enemy” meaning a state of total freedom which can be attainable through Dzogchen teaching and the practices of Peling Terchoe revealed by the great master tertoen Pema Lingpa. It was built to spread the Peling teachings in the east and currently, it is one of the principal spiritual Centres for Peling tradition. The important relics of the lhakhang include mardung (mummy) of Ani Choeten Zangmo, kapala of dakini with the self–arisen syllables “om ah hung” which was brought from Samye lhakhang in Tibet after it was rediscovered by tertoen Pema Lingpa. During one of his visits to Lhasa which was hidden by Guru Rinpoche and wisdom dakini Khandro Yeshi Tshogyal in the 8th century (769). The complex consists of a three-storied lhakhang in the center of a courtyard surrounded by residential quarters, offices, and classrooms on the periphery. The lhakhang includes a chapel in the ground floor with the statue of Guru Rinpoche in the center, kudung stupa of Ani Choeten Zangmo and the statue of Pema Lingpa. On the middle floor, visitors can visit the chapel which is adorned by the statue of the defender divinity Palden Lhamo and Tandrin (Hayagriva) and on the top floor, the chapel houses goenkhang Chenmo (chapel of protecting deities) with statues of three local protector divinities Pekar, Drametse and Tsong Tsoma. Tsheringma lhakhang houses images of a long-life deity and also five versions of the Himalayan protector Tsheringma. The lhakhang was severely damaged by the earthquake in September 2009. The current abbot of Drametse, H.E. Sungtruel Rinpoche who is the 11th incarnation of Pema Lingpa undertook the reconstruction works in 2014 and completed it in 2019.
