| Name: | Drupchu Samdrupcholing Goenpa |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Lhakhang |
| Level: | Registered Heritage Building |
| Category: | Heritage Building |
| Founder: | Ani Choeten Zangmo |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | 1501 | 15 |
| No. of Floor | 1floor |
| Main Wall | Stone wall |
| Location: | Balam, Mongar |
| Current Use: | Original |
| Ownership: | Community |
| Coodinates: | 27.33008⁰N, 91.42312⁰E |
Drupchu lhakhang was recently renamed Drupchu Samtencholing goenpa by H.H.Sungthrul Rinpoche and the name is associated with drupkhang (mediation cave) of Ani. According to Wangchuk (2021), the lhakhang is said to have been founded by Ani Choeten Zangmo in 1501. Her drupkhang is currently located a few meters away from the lhakhang. She was a grand-daughter of tertoen Pema Lingpa who is said to have come to Drupchu village to meditate after hearing the sound of dungkhar (conch shell) from Dungkharcholing (Aja ney), Mongar which she believed as an auspicious sign. Ani is said to have meditated there for 13 years practicing Peling terma teaching of tertoen Pema Lingpa. She is believed to have attained a rainbow body at a place popularly known as Shakshing goenpa at Trashiyangtse. The kudung of Ani was escorted to Drametse and a chorten was built to keep the kudung which is today present at Drametse lhakhang as the main relic. Ani was patron by the villagers and requested her to institute a religious institution, then she established Drametse Thekchok Namdrol Ugyen Choiling at Dremetse. Later in 1964, Baza Guru Rinpoche constructed the lhakhang as zangthopelri at the sacred site blessed by Ani. After the old existing structure was depilated, the community of Narang, Dremetse, and Balam reconstructed the structure but the construction timeline is unknown. Later, the lhakhang was renovated by H.H Sungtruel Rinpoche in 1995 after it was handed over to him by the community.
