In separate statements, the Druk National Congress (Democratic) and the Universal Society of Hinduism have welcomed Thimphu’s initiative to establish first permanent Hindu temple, whose ground-breaking ceremony was conducted on October 10 by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.
Thanking King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley for the Temple project, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said “it was a step in the right direction”. “This Temple would fulfill the long felt need of area Hindu community to have a place of worship and gathering of their own,” added Zed.
Meanwhile, Thinley Penjore, now based in Missouri, USA, said that his party was very excited to learn about this new development in Thimphu.
“It is a matter of great sign of government’s recognition through the media that the Buddhist head of Bhutan, Je Khenpo, is used by the regime to do the ground breaking ceremony. While it is highly appreciating that something worth the matter of further strengthening the people – to – people harmonization is on its way, the government’s initiatives without including a Hindu Pandit either from Bhutanese Hindu community or inviting any from India’s Hindu community is a matter that would require to ponder about,” added Thinley.
Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.
Zed further pointed out that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new Temple would help in this direction.
Thinley has further stated that the initiative is also a landmark on the part of the Bhutanese regime to have come out with the declaration of their concept that the Buddhism and the Hinduism originated from the same place and have similar principles, which in his words, was overdue since time Hindu religion was in practice in Bhutan.
“It is an opportune moment for every Bhutanese of Hindu community both inside the country and in Diaspora to understand that a gateway to our peaceful approach for real democracy is being opened through the installation of this upcoming landmark in Thimphu,” reads Thinley’s statement.
The construction work for this temple on 2.53-acre government land, which is on the way to the Buddha Dodenma statue, will begin soon and is expected to complete in two years. With Ngultrum 10 million already released by the government; work on basic infrastructure like water, electricity, road, ground-leveling and fencing will begin soon. Cabinet has approved its construction.
