To discuss the conservation and preservation of ancient heritage site at Kharpoche in Digger Nubra, a meeting was held on January 9 at Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation office in Leh.

Dr. Sonam Wangchok appreciated the community initiative of Digger village and assured full support in preserving and conserving one of the most important heritage sites in Ladakh. 

He said, “The conservation and preservation of the site is important not only for Buddhist pilgrims but it will also boost tourism in Ladakh”.

To carry forward the community initiative of Digger in preserving the heritage site more professionally with expert’s guidance, a committee comprises of members from HCHF and Digger village community was formed under the chairmanship of Dr. Sonam Wangchok, Secretary, HCHF and Tundup Tsephel, President, Lothun Kunfan Shesrig Tsogspa, Digger. 

It was decided that the committee will hire experts to prepare Detail Project Report for the conservation and site development.

They will also coordinate with experts, concerned Government Departments and donors as well as take care of the paper works including preparation of proposal and project reports. The committee will raise fund through donations, fundraising events and other funding sources.

The heritage site of fortified settlement at Kharpoche in Digger is about three hundred meters in length and has the famous and beautiful rock carving of Bodhisattvas on its three sides carved with a depiction of Mañjuśrī (Bodhisattva of wisdom) and Tārā, Vajrapāṇi (Bodhisattva of power in peaceful form) and Avalokitesvara Padmapāni. 

The rock carving has some unique features like spaces between the figures are filled with floral decoration which is not common to other rock carving sites in Ladakh. The site also has several boulders engraved with petroglyphs and other remnants. The Rock carving of Bodhisattvas at Kharpoche, Digar, Nubra is in an advanced state of decay and needs immediate preservation and conservation.

A memorandum of agreement was also signed between HCHF and Lothun Kunfan Shesrig Tsogspa, Digger with mutual understanding and interest in conserving and preserving the ancient monument site of Kharpoche in Digger. 

The executive members of Lothun Kunfan Shesrig Tsogspa, Digger and HCHF attended the meeting.