Works are underway to transform the Shivalaya Mandir in Gelephu into a Golden Mandir, following the command of His Majesty The King. An international contribution campaign was also launched today, with devotees and well-wishers contributing more than Nu 1.6 M on the first day.
Built in 2018 as a gift from His Majesty The King, the Shivalaya Yagyaswar Mahadev Mandir has become an important place of worship and a gathering point for the Hindu community in Sarpang.
Under the command of His Majesty The King, the temple is being adorned with the finest gold available, covering its spire, outer structures and sacred elements. The vision is to transform the existing structure into a radiant Golden Mandir, adding another distinctive landmark to the emerging Gelephu Mindfulness City.
And the work has already begun.
Alongside the work, an international contribution campaign was launched today at the mandir. Devotees and well-wishers gathered to offer prayers and contribute towards the initiative.
GMC Governor Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering said, “During a visit here, His Majesty The King prayed that it would become one of the finest of its kind in the world, and commanded that it be adorned, inside and out, with the finest gold available. Today, on this auspicious day, we have launched this campaign and offered our prayers. The people are deeply grateful for this initiative by His Majesty, and wish to contribute in whatever way they can.”
The response at the launch reflected the significance the mandir holds for the community. For many, the campaign is not simply about contributing towards the physical transformation of a temple. It is an opportunity to participate in a project inspired by His Majesty The King, and to make an offering in whatever form they can.
Gelephu Gup Prem Prasad Katel said, “We are deeply grateful to His Majesty The King for making this possible. His Majesty has envisioned and supported many important spiritual projects in GMC, and having a Golden Mandir for the Hindu community makes us especially happy and proud. We are truly thankful to His Majesty for this opportunity and for everything he has done for the community.”
“We already have this beautiful Shivalaya Mandir, gifted to us by His Majesty The King, and now the plan to adorn it with gold makes us even happier. We remain deeply grateful to His Majesty. For us, His Majesty holds a place of the highest respect and reverence, and we are very fortunate to witness this transformation,” said Thakur Prasad Homagai, a resident.
And the timing of the transformation is significant. The Golden Mandir is expected to be completed before November 1, when GMC plans to raise 108 Jangchub Chortens in a single day.
With the two projects taking shape around the same time, Gelephu is preparing for a remarkable convergence of devotion, one expressed through gold, and the other through stone.
Karma Wangdi/Passang Dorji, Gelephu
