‘Teesta Bongthing’ Passes Away, a Tradition Ends SD TSHERING

Bongthing Pem Tshering, popularly known as “Teesta Bongthing”, passed away at his home in Chakra Basti above Teesta bazaar in West Bengal on Wednesday. His funeral is scheduled for 16 May. The death of the Teesta Bongthing brings to an end a very rich tradition of Lepcha Bongthings who were specially trained to perform special prayers for Sikkim. The death of Khangchendzonga Bongthing some years back left a vacuum that cannot be filled and with the death of the Teesta Bongthing the era of worship of Khangchendzonga and rituals associated with Pang Lhabsol have come to an end.
The Teesta Bongthing clan had been performing the puja dedicated to Yabdu, the guardian of Sikkim’s Southern Gate [at Kalijhora], during Pang Lhabsol when the guardian deities of Sikkim are propitiated. Both, the Khangchendzonga as well as the Teesta Bongthing were given the duty of performing the pujas for all deities of the mountains and the plains for the benefit of Sikkim and its people. Generations of these Bongthings continued their duty even after the fall of the monarchy and even though they never received any special treatment or financial help from the government for their services.
Prayers dedicated to Khangchendzonga and Teesta are an important part of the Pang Lhabsol puja, but neither Bongthings ever came into limelight for their important service until recently when their contributions were remembered and they were felicitated by the Tsuglakhang Trust last year [the Khangchendzonga Bongthing posthumously]. The only attention given to them was during the Chogyal’s time when the king paid special attention to them during Pang Lhabsol. Though both Bongthings died in penury, they remained true to their tasks despite the neglect and their poor economic condition.
It is a sad day for Sikkim since from now on there will be no one to offer prayers in the traditional way to the guardian deities of Sikkim for their protection. The death of the Teesta Bongthing in such privation also portrays the neglect of the people and government of Sikkim in preserving an important aspect of the rich heritage of Sikkim. The government spends lakhs of rupees on Pang Lhabsol celebrations every year but the real people like Khangchendzonga and Teesta bongthings who have dedicated their lives to performing the pujas die penniless and forgotten.
[The writer is Director General cum Secretary, Department of Economics, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Government of Sikkim]