GOM KHARA DIGLAM

Location

A »curious water-worn hole« in a stone is completeley surrounded by a prayer wall (WHITE 1909 edited 1971, 1983, 1984: 192). SITUATION 1909: At the »very curious little temple« (WHITE 1909 edited 1971, 1983, 1984: 192) called »Gom Kora« and »Gom Khara« (note 1). APPROACH 1909: »From Tashigong [note 2] a very steep descent of about 1100 feet [335 m] took us down to the iron suspension bridge over the Dongma-chhu [note 3] … After crossing the ridge [sic! for: bridge?] the road wound along the hillside some distance above the river till we came to a place called Gom Kora« (WHITE 1909 edited 1984: 191-192). SITUATION 1988: In »eastern Bhutan, to the north of Tashigang, Gom Khara temple is found« (STEIN 1988: 13). CULTURAL HISTORY -- dwar: »Gom Kora …is considered extremely holy, and to crawl into the small hole and out at the other side is an act of merit. Needless to say, that act of merit is not placed to my credit, though the more devout of my servants and followers performed it …« (WHITE (1909 edited 1971, 1983, 1984: 192). STEIN (1988: 13): »Gom Khara temple … Its main statues are Padmasambhava and Avalokiteshwara. Near the temple a large dark rock is inhabited by a demon subjugated by Padmasambhava … It is possible to pass through a cleft in the rock [dwar]. If one gets stuck, it is a sign of being a sinner. [note 37] I got this hint by Mr. and Mrs. Imaeda« (i.e. Françoise Pommaret Imaeda). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 02/02/2016

NOTE 1: »Gom Kora« (WHITE 1909; ALL et al. 2005: 356) or »Gom Khara« (STEIN 1988) is indicated as »Gyam Kar« near N27°22'30": E091°33' on AMS sheet NG46-02 Towang (U502 series, 1961 edition). NOTE 2: »Tashigong« (WHITE 1909) or »Tashigang« (STEIN 1988) and »Tashigang Dzong« (YONGE 1993) is indicated as »Tashigang Dzong (Bonkar) 8250 [feet]« near N27°14': E091°34': 2515 m asl on AMS sheet NG46-02 Towang (U502 series, 1961 edition) and as »Tashigang Dzong« on the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 28 C3). NOTE 3: »Dongma-chhu« (WHITE 1909), »Dragme Chhu« (Indian Subcontinent 2004, London: Harper Collins ISBN 0-00-716413-0), »Dangme Chu (Manas River)« (AMS sheet NG46-01 Tongsa Dzong, U502 series, 1960 edition). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 02/02/2016