Restoration of Sang Monastery completed

GANGTOK, 09 Feb: Karma Dubgyu Chokhorling in Sang, East Sikkim, or simply the Sang Gumpa, has finally been restored to its original state.
The monastery had been severely damaged by the earthquake of 18 September 2011 during which the main pillars were damaged threatening the whole structure. With financial support from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund through the Ecclesiastical Affairs Department and Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department, the monastery has now been restored to its original state.
The renovation was completed on 22 November last year and the finishing touches completed on 07 February this year. A member of the committee formed to oversee the renovation works, Chumden Kachopa, informs that the fragile and semi-wooden structure of the monastery was severely damaged by the 18 September earthquake. After a request to the government, the monastery received financial support under the CMRF.
She informs that the monastery received Rs. 10 lakh from the Ecclesiastical Affairs Department and Rs. 3 lakh from the CA&HD and remaining funds were contributed by devotees and well- wishers.
It is informed that the restoration and repair work cost a total of Rs 17 lakh and took around one year to complete.
Ecclesiastical Affairs, Secretary T Gelek and the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Cultural Affairs and Heritage department, Nalini G. Pradhan, along with other officers had visited the monastery on 23 November last year and appreciated the renovation works. It is informed that conservation architect Chetan Raj Shrestha had also voluntarily extended technical inputs on the required conservation works.
On behalf of the committee, Monastery and the people of the area, Ms Kachopa thanked the CM for his support for the renovation of the monastery. She also thanked former Chief Secretary, TT Dorji, Secretaries and officials of Ecclesiastical and Cultural Affairs and Heritage departments and to all devotees and well-wishers for supporting the renovation works.
The monastery is said to have been built in 1912 on an area covering 18 hectares of land donated by the Sang Athing.