02/02/2024
WANGSISI CHHUM'S MAGNIFICENT MANOR
The presenter Lady Aum Dechen Wangmo, 11th descendent of the Wangsisi Chum, shares various narratives and showcases numerous artefacts and settings of the house in 'The Story of Wangsisi Chum.' It's hard to believe some of them are old, at least visually. The visual archive offers some insightful learning.
Here is another one picked up from the BOOK-WHEN LOSS IS GAIN-Pavan K Verma
"Once upon a time, long ago, Jazam, the wife of Chogyal Tsongtsen Gompo halted there at sisina. She was young and beautiful, and the cliff fell in love with her. She was in a hurry to continue her journey to India, but the cliffs wanted her to stay. It’s said that every time she tried to leave, something would happen to stop her. It would either rain heavily or a boulder would mysteriously roll across her path. Once when she was all set to go, the cliffs moved. Jazam lost her balance and fell down, spraining her leg. She could not move for days.
Jazam had treasures, valuable baskets, caskets like tea chests and full of presents for her family in India. Afraid of thieves, she slept close to them. It’s believed that one night the cliffs spoke to her and said “Don’t go. We will build your home and make it a beautiful place to stay here. There is nothing you need we do not have. Fruit trees grow in our crevices. Water washes our feet. There are caves within us larger than homes. Firewood is available in plenty. On our forehead is fertile soil for paddy.” Tormented Jazam woke in a sweat and decided to leave the place at dawn.
At first light, Jazam collected her treasure and set out to leave. She thought she could see streaks of tears on the face of the cliffs, but she was not to be moved. The cliffs made the last attempt, boulders bounced across her path, huge trees bent down to hold her, the ground shook, and the river rose. But she was adamant. This time she didn’t stop as she had her family waiting for her and also she wanted to be with her husband dearly. She hinted at not loving the cold, bare, ugly and windswept cliffs.
Just as she was about to step off into the valley beyond, the cliffs took revenge. The cliffs let her go, but all her valuables, the bamboo baskets and caskets full of treasures were turned into stone. The stone shapes on the cliffs within them of bamboo baskets and chests remind the cliffs of the woman they loved but couldn’t possess. Sometimes people see conch shells in their cracks."
For those who believe, the sight of the cliffs is considered lucky and also for those who return the calling of love.
Below the road along the Thimphu-Paro highway lies the magnificent manor of Wangsisi Chhum, the wealthy lady of Wangsisina. It is believed that the five-stor...
