Month: December 2023

December 28, 2023 Uncategorized Post a Comment

Bhutanese pilgrims embark on spiritual journey to Bodh Gaya

As the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, locally known as Nyechhen Dorji Dhen, commenced this month, over 60 devoted pilgrims from Bhutan are embarking on a daily journey from Phuentsholing to the revered destination in Bihar, India.

A daily departure of a double-decker bus, equipped with 65 seats, crosses the border from Phuentsholing at 4 pm, reaching the hallowed grounds of Bodh Gaya at approximately 1 pm the following day. Covering a distance of about 700 kilometers, each pilgrim pays Nu 2,100 as bus fare for this spiritual voyage, according to a pilgrim from Merak, Trashigang.

The pilgrimage season is expected to continue until February of the upcoming year, drawing devotees from different parts of Bhutan eager to delve into the sacred history of how Gautam Buddha bestowed blessings upon the site and attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree (Jangchub Shing).

Meanwhile, the Kidu Mobile Medical Unit from Bhutan has recommenced its philanthropic medical services, offering free healthcare to Bhutanese pilgrims starting from December 4 until the culmination of January. 

Established at the Royal Bhutanese Temple, this unit was initiated in December 2016 under the command of His Majesty The King, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the well-being of the pilgrims during their sacred journey.

December 27, 2023 Uncategorized Post a Comment

Gelephu Landmark Water Project inaugurate

Press release

His Majesty The King and His Holiness the Je Khenpo inaugurated the Gelephu Landmark Water Project on December 23.

The Gelephu Landmark Water Project, which started in April 2022, is the most ambitious of the over 40 nationwide water projects by DeSuups as part of DeSuung National Service.

The Landmark project in Gelephu, which serves the whole of Gelephu Thromde as well as some other nearby gewogs, was jointly implemented together with the Gelephu Thromde and Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport. The exemplary management of the project resulted in it being completed on time within 19 months, and at a cost of Nu 375 million, significantly under the initial budget of Nu 477 million.

Additionally, while all Desuung National Service water projects made use of cutting edge technology and construction standards, the Gelephu Project stood out even among these. The infrastructure includes extensive water mainlines connecting a robust intake structure at the source to sedimentation tanks and a cutting edge water treatment plant, and over 9.7 kms of distribution lines to reach the community. International experts on filtration technology and plumbing from South Korea and Thailand participated in the project.

Over 230 Desuups contributed their services to the project, which not only establishes a reliable and clean water supply for residents, but also equips participating Desuups with the skills and knowhow to build and manage such systems.

The DeSuung National Service Projects were initiated upon Royal Command in the midst of the pandemic, as a platform for Desuups to contribute to projects of national importance, as well as gain the knowledge and ability to develop quality infrastructure and facilities for Bhutan