The Dorji Lopen of the Central Monastic Body is presiding over a five-day Druklo Doechho Kurim at Thangzona in Punakha. The Kurim which is performed once every twelve years started today. Around seven hundred monks and nuns from various religious centres in the district are performing the ritual.
The Central Monastic Body has been performing the Druklo Doechho Kurim every Dragon Year in the Bhutanese lunar calendar to bring peace and harmony to the country. It is also for the long life of Their Majesties, His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the Royal Family.
Until the last Kurim in 2012, the ritual was conducted inside Dukhang Chhenmo of the Punakha Dzong. However, this year, due to an increasing number of devotees, it is being conducted at Thangzona. More than a thousand devotees came to offer their prayers today.
“Everyone of us has our birth-sign year. Likewise, our country’s year sign is Dragon. As we consider our year-sign a bad year, Dragon Year is a bad year for the country. So, to mitigate the adversities and obstacles, we are performing these rituals. All the prayers are of Goem-Chamdrel-Sum. No other district performs this ritual except Punakha,” said Sonam Gyeltshen, the vice principal of Lekshey Jungney Shedra in Punakha.
He says if the country fails to perform the Kurim, adverse or unfortunate events could occur in the country.
The Vice Principal said, “This year is a bad year for people born in Dragon, Rat and Monkey year. It would be better for them to come here and offer their prayers. The Kurim will cleanse misfortune and ill luck for these people.”
The ritual will conclude on Tuesday.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Sangay Chezom