Skurbuchan Khar was probably 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. Later, 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. In the third phase, 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. And finally, 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.

 

The building Skurbuchan Khar had 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. 

 

This project is motivated by the genuine concern of the Skurbuchan villagers that such an important constituent of their common identity and community life might become irreversibly ruined. For some time they had made efforts to reach out for partners that could assist them in the repair of the endangered historical structure. Village authorities raised local funds to cover the costs of all necessary materials, the salary for the local head-mason and workers. In addition, the community will provide for the necessary number of volunteers to assist in the work.

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The Skurbuchan Khar is the property of the local community and the Monastery of the village and its senior members are committed to this initiative. The head of the lineage to which this monastery belongs, H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, stands firmly behind the project and has publicly encouraged the community to give all their support.

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The close partnership between the village of Skurbuchan and the Achi Association India with its experts and young heritage promoters offers the possibility to implement an initiative which is truly anchored in the community and responds to its expressed needs and concerns. From the start, the project will be driven by the main stakeholders - the monastery and the villagers - and by the heritage promoters who will accompany and guide them all along, under the technical support and project coordination of the Achi Association’s professionals. The initiative is designed to make active use of local knowledge and capacities and it encourages the community to assume a high level of responsibility and ownership of the project, financially as well as in the decision-making process and actual execution of the work. It is expected that this pilot experience will contribute to establishing a more community-centered and sustainable model for heritage conservation.