JAROGANG: THE ZHABDRUNG'S JACKFRUIT

 

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the legend behind the statehood of Bhutan had to fight numerous battles, both internal and external, to protect the land that this generation proudly call it 'drukyül'. Power consolidation was mainly challenged by the Tibetan forces under Tsang-Desi and the Five Lama within the country.

Tibetan armies invaded Bhutan around 1629, in 1631, and again in 1639, hoping to throttle Ngawang Namgyal's popularity before it spread too far (US Library of Congress).

Their forces were so powerful that the Zhabdrung nearly fled to India. On planning to flee Bhutan, at a place called Dhey-chhu in Athang Gewog, the tutelary deities of Zhabdrung, Legoen Jaro Dongchen fetched Zhabdrung with a good news that the Tibetan forces had been defeated and he must immediately call off his plan of leaving Bhutan.

Exulted, Zhabdrung returned from Dhey-chhu. The place was called Dhey-chhu (བདེ་ཆུ་) following the Zhabdrung's 'comfort of mind' from the news of success. 'Dhey' is comfort and 'Chhu' refers to the stream flowing nearby. Over time, the name of the stream corrupted and people incorrectly call it 'dikchhu'.

On his journey back towards Wangdue, at a place called Jarigang (Jarogang), a devout local patron, Zompa Chum, hosted Zhabdrung Rinpoche with a grand lunch. He was offered bondey rice. Zhabdrung made two self-images out of the rice dough and asked each one a question. He asked the first if it could represent him in this mission of unification. In obedience, the statue bowed its head concurring to the command. This statue can still be seen at Jarogang Lhakhang. He then asked the other one if it could explore its own destination to bless the place wherever it embarks. The statue responded positively and flew off south in the direction of Tsirang. It is believed that the statue is somewhere in Tsirang-toe. Where exactly it landed is still not known but some elderly people say—in Tsirang, farmers can grow almost everything in abundance as Zhabdrung himself blessed the place with his own handmade rice statue. I find this analogy agreeable owing to the scale of food production, especially vegetables and fruits.

As clearly documented by the Jesuit Priests from Portugal, Father Cabrel and Cacela, sometime in 1627; Zhabdrung used to live mostly on fruits and milk. As much as Zhabdrung loved it, Zompa Chum also offered jackfruit after the meal. He ate one and with prayers planted the seed of the jackfruit somewhere nearby. He prayed that should his reign flourish across the nation and may peace and prosperity prevail in the country, the seed must grow into a fruiting tree. He also prayed that the tree must bear fruits to be offered to Koenchosum. Even though the altitude and climatic condition contrasts for a jackfruit plant to grow, it only grew upon the 'thumoen' or prayers of Zhabdrung, says Lam Tsechhu of Jarogang. Later, the locals have tried to grow jackfruits many times in that area but all attempts went in vain.

I was also told by the folks there that for several years, the tree had stopped bearing fruits until Zhabdrung Kuchoe has been initiated on a yearly basis.

Customarily, around this time, the Lam of Jarogang goes around to offer Zhabdrung's jackfruits to the Kukhors, Lam Neten of Wangdue Rabdhey and the People's Reps and the Dzongda.

Those visiting Jarogang can also see the Zhabdrung's chaagkhar (wooden staff) which grew into a huge tree. Prime Nangtens in the Lhakhang consist of rice-made Zhabdrung statue and Rangjung Kharsapani (not the one at Punakha).

Some five years ago, I and my close friends got the rare opportunity to offer a ghau or case to the sacred rice statue of Zhabdrung.

Jackfruit tree at Jarogang, Punakha District.

Jarogang Lhakhang

Source: Facebook/Gaseb Kinley Wangchuk (MP, Wangdue Phodrang)