At the completion of the restoration of Kharzong Gonpa, the Lama Uchos of Samkar, Spituk, Stok and Saboo Gonpa headed by the Chogzhi Lama performed the consecration (Rab-nas) on 24th September. The restoration of the Gonpa was initiated by the villagers in collaboration with Samkar Monastery in 2013. Samkar Monastery provided woods for timber joists, beams, floor and cabinets. 

Kharzong Gonpa was founded by H.E. the 18th Bakula Rinpoche around 120 years ago. Earlier it was located in caves at a place known as Yul Doma near the ruined fort. It was then shifted to another place known as Dzomolte before finally moving it to this present location. Since then a monk from Samkar Monastery is deputed to take care of the Gonpa and perform prayers and rituals.

The consecration ritual was followed by a function and a cultural programme. 

While addressing at the function Ven. Lobzang Angchuk of Samkar Gonpa congratulated and appreciated the villagers of Kharzong for successfully completing the restoration. 

Dr Sonam Wangchok brief about the history of the Gonpa and the restoration works that has been undertaken under his guidance by preserving the old murals in the Dukhang. “The Gonpa was successfully restored by using local materials and without dismantling the old murals,” said Dr Wangchok.

President Nangtsogs, Sonam Tsering (Onpo) expressed gratitude to all the monks from Spituk, Stok, Saboo and Samkar for performing the consecration rituals and especially Samkar Gonpa for providing material supports.

He also thanks, Tsewang Rigzin, Councilor, Diskit Constituency, Nurboo Gyaltsen, former MLC and Tsetan Namgyal, former MLA for financial supports and Tsering Angchuk (Hornak) for engineering guidance. 

“The restoration would not have been successful without the donations and labours provided by every villager,” said Sonam Tsering. 

Dr Sonam Wangchok was presented with a memento by the villagers and the members of Kharzong Odsal Tsogspa (KOT) to congratulate him for being elected recently as president of International Association for Ladakh Studies and for receiving the “Outstanding Contribution Award in the field of Cultural Preservation” during the International Buddhist Heritage Festival 2015. 

Tsewang Tokdan from Kharzong was also congratulated by the villagers and the members of KOT by presenting a memento for winning the “Khardong La Challenge” of Ladakh Marathon 2015. The consecration and function were also attended by guests from neighbouring villages in Nubra and also from Leh.