Thimphu to get its first Hindu temple

Sudarshan Subedi,Manager,Library and Research,Kuensel Corporation,who witnessed the bhoomi pooja and wrote about it in Kuensel,Bhutans only English daily,said both Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies were held.

The consecration ceremony was conducted in the presence of the countrys senior-most lama,Je Khenpo,pujaris and cabinet ministers. During the ceremony,four pillars were erected to mark the temple site.

The temple is to be built at Kuensel Phodrang. The site overlooks the old city of Thimphu with its wooden roofs,the more recent tin-roof houses and the gleaming Wang Chhu river.

Dipendra Giri,who organises tours and is Executive Director of the Hindu Dharma Samudaya of Bhutan HDSB,said: We couldnt have found a better site.

It will be the permanent home of the Durga Mandir,presently located in a playground of a PWD colony. With a makeshift roof,it has been the only site for Hindu celebrations like Durga Pooja and Navratri.

With the just-married King scheduled to visit,this Mandir resembles a bride in all her finery. The main shrine hosts a smiling Shiva,Parvati,Ganesh and Durga. A picture of the Buddha and a portrait of the royal couple,the King and his Queen,complete the Bhutanese pantheon.

The Bhutan government has committed Nu 10 million for the Hindu Mandirs construction in two years. Dasho Meghraj Gurung,chairman of HDSB,said: Our idea is to bring the best ideas of Hinduism to the temple. It shouldnt be too ritualistic. We need to make religion relevant for our younger people.