WHY JAROGANG LHAKHANG IS NOT WHITEWASHED AND UMA DZONG NOT INSTALLED 'SERTO'

In the southern foothills of Shaa valley, Jarogang and Uma dzong are the two historically important monuments linked to Zhabdrung Rinpoche. Perched on a hilltop, Jarogang Lhakhang is known for the Zhabdrung's handmade rice statue and the jackfruit tree. It is under Athang gewog. 

On the opposite hilltop, is situated Uma dzong under Daga gewog. Written history states that upon the order of Zhabdrung, Uma dzong was annexed by his confidant and accomplished Kagyue master, Bjatang Pekar Tashi, from Lam Nayingpa, Jetsun Drung, during the power struggle between the Zhabdrung and the Five Lams. 

However, for now, allow me to delve not into the historical backgrounds of the Lhakhang but bring forth the 'deal' the two guardian deities of the two sacred Lhakhangs have made pertaining to the conditions agreed on the structural modification of the Lhakhangs. Lest cataclysmic consequences shall befall in their chartered territories. 

According to the oral literature, these two Lhakhangs are being looked after by the two wrathful female deities both believed to be emanations of Peldhen Lhamo aka Mahakali. Uma dzong, located in Um Khamey under Daga gewog is under the guardianship of Peldhen Marzo Gyelmo, locally known as Aum Martzom. Jarogang is mainly under the custody of Paldhen Lham. 

An unknown situation led to the two female deities making a restrictive deal not to modify the structures of their respective monuments. The two agreed that the Uma dzong should not be installed "serto" or golden pinnacle whilst Jarogang Lhakhang not be whitewashed. Currently, Jarogang Lhakhang is painted maroon and Uma dzong is without a 'serto'. At the maximum, Uma dzong can be installed a 'gyeltshen' instead of 'serto'. Breaching the promises would bring a curse upon each other's territories is what the elderly folks still believe firmly. 

Not long ago, a person from Jarogang had the Jarogang Lhakhang whitewashed and the next morning, heavy directional rain washed away the entire paint. Later, that person had to seek spiritual pardon from the Lhakhang. Currently, the Jarogang Lhakhang is under major reconstruction. However, the construction has been delayed for over two years now and the locals believe that perhaps this could be the reason why the consecutive flash floods in the vicinity claimed lives and caused huge disasters cutting off irrigation channels, bridges and flooding of the PHP-2 facilities on the opposite bank. 

The gewog administration is rushing to complete the Lhakhang soon to mitigate the natural calamities.