Introduction
The historical Skurbuchan Khar
Situated on a brusque ridge high above the settlement, the Skurbuchan Khar (Palace temple), is a visually powerful structure and an important regional landmark. It has high historical and spiritual significance for the local population and surrounding communities. The rammed-earth fortified tower was extended and converted, probably in the mid-nineteenth century, to a temple. The interior contains a colossal statue of the thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara, wall paintings, eight chörtens, and moveable clay statuary.
The entire temple complex is maintained by the monks of the Skurbuchan Monastery of Drikung-Khargyud lineage and continues to maintain the religious functions associated with it. The participation of the community in every ritual that takes place in the temple is significantly high and it is also frequently visited by the villagers, mainly the elders, to perform the skora around the temple structure.
Building History
Skurbuchan Khar was built in four phases.
- The first phase of the Khar was a defensive tower, similar to the tower higher up the ridge. Like the upper tower, it was built of rammed-earth, and was probably open on the south side, so that if overrun by attackers it could not be used as a stronghold against village counter-attacks. The top floor retains triangular observation windows and angled shooting crenellations.
- The tower was converted into the Avalokiteshvara temple by the removal of lower floors and the addition of a stone and brick 3-storey structure on the south, 1-storey lower than the tower. This extension contains a 2-storey high entrance lobby open at the south, an upper room (zimskhang?) with a southern rabsal and north screen facing the statue, and ancillary staircase rooms. The three small windows in the upper room were later bricked up and the internal walls painted.
- A lower extension was built to the south, containing a principal decorated room with a rabsal at the east (the rinpoche room), over storerooms/stables.
- A final extension to the south created a main entrance door and passage, and two small rooms above. This extension largely collapsed some 20 years ago.
Deteriorating State of the Structure
The building Skurbuchan Khar has been in a dilapidated condition for many years. There were large structural cracks appearing all along the length of the wall posing threat to the stability of the building. It seemed like problems in the foundation of the building where causing the west wall of the building to sway away from its original position. The cracks in the walls also damaged the unique and exquisite wall paintings inside the building. The large clay image of Avalokiteshvara and other smaller images of various Boddhisatvas are damaged due to neglect and water infiltration through roofs. The rooms adjacent to the upper level temples and the terrace areas were also deteriorating and almost lay in ruins. The beautifully carved and painted wooden frames at the first floor level and decorative wooden members are damaged at various places.