A portion of the holy relics of Lord Buddha, brought from India, was enshrined at Thimphu’s prominent monastery, Tashichhodzong, which is considered the seat of Bhutan’s highest spiritual and political institutions. According to the Indian Embassy at Thimphu, Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, other ministers of the Himalayan kingdom, and senior Lopens of the Central Monastic Body joined Virendra Kumar, India’s Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, at the enshrinement ceremony.

 

 

This comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Bhutan from Tuesday. In a social media post, the Indian Embassy at Thimphu said the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha were enshrined at the Grand Kuenrey Hall at Tashichhodzong with a traditional chipdrel procession, prayers, ceremonies and a guard of honour. In another social media post, the Ministry of Culture said the relics will be enshrined for public veneration at the Kuenrey Hall of Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu from November 8 to 18, marking a moment of deep spiritual unity between India and Bhutan. Located within the Tashichhodzong, a fortress and monastery, Grand Kuenrey is one of the most prominent halls. Called the ‘Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha’, these were enshrined at the National Museum in New Delhi. This is the second time these sacred relics have been sent to Bhutan from India.