Dzongu offers special prayers in the wake of 18 Sept Earthquake

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
NAMPRIKDANG, 23 OCT: The residents of Dzongu got together at Namprikdang ground today to attend special prayers offered to the guardian deities in the wake of the 18 September Earthquake devastation.
Special prayers - Lingzey Lungnon and Segyi Rumfaat - were offered today by a set of seven Bongthings who gathered here from different parts of Dzongu. The prayers were led by Bongthing Dichen Lepcha.

The prayers - organized by Muntanchi Lom Aal Shezum, a Dzongu-based NGO, in coordination with Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association, Namprikdang Namsoong Committee and Sikkim Lepcha Association - were especially held for the earthquake victims and to propitiate the guardian deities to protect Sikkim and the region from future repeats.
In his welcome address, Namgyal Lepcha, the MLAS cultural secretary, explained the significance of the prayers and why they were being offered.
Lingzey Lungnon is the prayer for peace and well-being, while Segyi Rumfaat marks a thanksgiving to the guardian deities and prayers for the return of bountiful agriculture. The latter prayer acquires more significance in light of the fact that the harvest of large cardamom, Dzongu’s only cash crop, has been dwindling over the past years.
The altar for Segyi Rumfaat is adorned with first harvests of oranges, gauva, sugarcane and other items like cassava, yam, chyang, arak etc. and flowers.  Usually, the Lepchas offer new crops and fruits to the guardian deities with Segyi Rumfaat.
Namprikdang in Upper Dzongu is located on the confluence of Rongynu Chu (Teesta) and Rongyong  Chu (River Tholung).
Today’s prayers were also joined by the area MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, North Zilla Adhyaksha Khamsoong Lepcha, DC [North] TN Kazi, Chairperson, Child Rights Protection, Chumki Saring, Chairperson, Milk Union , Choden Lepcha, former MLAs Norjang Lepcha and Loden Tsh Lepcha, panchayats and zilla members, officials from various departments of North district and general public.
Also on the day, the Minister handed over relief assistance to earthquake affected families from Lingthem-Lingdem GPU.
In his short speech, the area MLA informed the gathering about the itinerary of the Chief Minister’s visit to North Sikkim starting 25 October and continuing till 01 November. He also expressed his gratitude towards the Bongthings for offering the prayers and appreciated the initiative of the organisers for having hosted the prayers.
He further informed that relief works were underway at Saffo, Sakyong-Pentong and other affected areas. The Minister also encouraged the people to opt for traditional Lepcha house designs, which he pointed out, were more earthquake resistant.
The prayers concluded with the vote of thanks being proposed by JJ Rongmit, MLAS, vice-president.