Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry : A Forgotten Spiritual Heritage of Jumla

Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry

Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry is situated in Chotra—the last village of Jumla District—within Guthichaur Rural Municipality, near the border with Dolpa. It is one of the most remote monasteries in the Karnali region. According to local belief, this sacred site is regarded as the first monastery of Jumla, with an estimated history of around 55 years.  

Origin and Settlement History

Yalgen Budha age of 60 recalls that an earlier monastery once stood inside the village, but after it was shifted closer to the settlement, both structures eventually collapsed. Later, Tibetan refugees fleeing Tibet settled in the area for many years. Under the guidance of the main lama, Organ, the present monastery was constructed.

At its peak, the settlement was vibrant, with around 50 households and nearly 250–260 residents living there long-term. Over time, the entire community migrated to India, leaving the monastery behind. The exact reasons for their departure remain unknown to the local people.

The monastery was built under the guidance of the chief lama, whose framed portrait with a khada is displayed inside..

Decline and Absence of Care

The lama who founded the monastery used to visit it periodically, and later his family, who live in Kathmandu, appointed a caretaker. However, for many years now, no one has resided there to look after the monastery, leaving it completely unattended. It is believed that the main lama passed away near the Tibet border during his holy journey to Mount Kailash. Located a few hours’ hike from the village, the Gumba is now rarely visited and has effectively become an orphaned heritage site.

Artistic and Structural Deterioration

The monastery once housed exceptional mud-wall paintings and murals, representing rich Himalayan Buddhist artistic traditions. Today, these priceless artworks are rapidly deteriorating due to rainwater seepage through damaged walls and roofing.

One entire side of the monastery has already collapsed. Although the local government rebuilt the wall, it was done using a plain stone structure, without respecting traditional architecture, artistic value, or historical integrity. As a result, the monastery’s original aesthetic and cultural essence have been severely compromised.

Due to neglect and lack of security, valuable statues and thangka paintings have been stolen over time. The doors remain without locks, and no caretaker is present to protect what little remains.

 Religious Practice and Community Context

Despite the community’s deep Buddhist faith, not a single lama currently resides in the village. The Khampa community lives in Chotra, and while everyone follows Buddhism, organized monastic life has disappeared.  

Occasionally, respected lamas visit the monastery for short-term retreats or hidden prayers lasting up to a month. Local villagers mainly offer prayers during Purnima (full moon days).

Land, Location, and Economic Context

The monastery holds hundreds of acres of land registered in its name, yet this land remains unused and unmanaged. Chotra village lies about two hours’ drive from Khalanga Bazaar, the district headquarters of Jumla, and serves as a gateway to Phoksundo Lake and Dolpa.

The local economy depends largely on herbal trade, yak rearing, and horse farming, reflecting a traditional Himalayan livelihood system.

A Memory of Hope: The Unfulfilled Royal Visit

Local elders still vividly remember a moment of great hope, when it was said that late King Birendra would visit the monastery by helicopter. In preparation, villagers built three temporary helicopter landing areas, carved steps along the trail, and laid locally woven sheep-wool carpets—leui, radi, and pakhi—on the path where the King was expected to walk.

On the anticipated day, villagers waited from morning till evening at the monastery, holding khadas and malas, hoping to welcome the King. But he never arrived. At that time, reaching Khalanga Bazaar took an entire day on foot, and no government representative came to explain the situation. Later, it was said that the King reached Jumla and traveled as far as Gothichaur to visit the high-altitude sheep research center, but could not make it to Chotra.

That unfulfilled visit remains a powerful symbol of the monastery’s long-standing hope for recognition and care.

Hope for Preservation

Despite decades of neglect, the local community remains deeply connected to Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry. Many villagers still remember carrying stones, shaping mud walls, and painting sacred images together. Although a monastery conservation committee was formed long ago, it has remained largely inactive, allowing deterioration to continue.

Urgent conservation action is now critical

1. Locals urgently seek support for:
2. Immediate retrofitting and stabilization of monastery walls
3.  Protection and conservation of remaining murals and artworks
4. Basic security and caretaking to prevent further loss

Without swift intervention, Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry may disappear forever, taking with it an irreplaceable chapter of Jumla’s spiritual and cultural history. Your support can help rescue this orphaned monastery and ensure that its legacy lives on for future generations.