Hindu temple in Thimphu

His Holiness the Je Khenpo, pundits and cabinet ministers
during the Sa-Lang ceremony of the Hindu temple at
Kuenselphodrang yesterday

Sa-Lang ceremony 11 October, 2011 – Work to construct the first Hindu temple in Thimphu will begin soon with the ground breaking or Sa-Lang ceremony conducted yesterday by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.??The temple will be constructed on a 2.53-acre government land at Kuenselphodrang on the way to the Buddha statue.

“Establishment of this temple will enrich the spiritual heritage of our country,” the Je Khenpo said.

Highlighting the similarity between Buddhism and Hinduism, His Holiness said that both religions originated from the same place and have similar principles.

“These two religions are interdependent and inseparable like milk and water,” His Holiness said.

This temple is expected to contribute directly in pursuing the mission of the Hindu Dharma Samudaya of Bhutan, which is to deepen the devotees’ understanding of the essence of religious values and devotional practices, chairman of the Samudaya, Dasho Meghraj Gurung said.

Dasho Meghraj Gurung said a conceptual drawing of the temple is under process, and final structural and architectural drawing with cost estimation would be completed in a few months time. The construction would be completed in two years, he said.

With Nu 10M already released by the government, works on basic infrastructure, such as road, water, electricity, fencing and ground levelling will begin soon.

Cabinet ministers, the national assembly speaker, the opposition leader, the national council chairperson, and members of the parliament, business community and pundits attended the ceremony.

By Sudarshan Subedi