A replica of Bodhgaya’s Mahabodhi Temple in India will be constructed in Gelephu. His Holiness the Je Khenpo led the Salang Tendrel or ground-breaking ceremony for the construction yesterday. Lam Tshering Wangdi will be taking the lead under the directives of His Holiness the Je Khenpo. The monument is expected to be a significant spiritual and cultural landmark in the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The replica of Mahabodhi Temple will be constructed behind the Gelephu Forest Range office which is just about 200 metres from Gelephu – Trongsa Highway. It is located in Trashiling Demkhong of Gelephu Thromde.
Lam Tshering Wangdi said that His Holiness the Je Khenpo has named it Dorden Tashi Gomang.
It will be 301-foot high and 256-foot wide, spanning 21 acres of land.
Lam Tshering Wangdi said “We initiated the salang tendrel ceremony to ensure its successful completion without encountering any obstacles. Moving forward, we will handle the paperwork and hope to complete the project successfully.”
Lam Tshering Wangdi added that some 20 years ago, residents of Gelephu, particularly the elderly ones requested His Holiness the Je Khenpo a few times to build a chorten in Gelephu.
Following that, a geotechnical study and ground-breaking ceremony were initiated to build a replica of Mahabodhi Temple at Dechenpelri but further works could not be carried out due to the covid pandemic.
Lam Tshering Wangdi said the current site was chosen so that people can visit the Dorden Tashi Gomang regularly.
Arup, a global engineering and sustainable development consultancy, will oversee the construction to ensure durability against storms and wind.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Tshering Zam
