The Central Monastic Body led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo arrived in Thimphu for their summer residence from Puna-Dewa-Chenpoi-Phodrang yesterday. The monk body will spend the night at Semtokha Dzong as per the tradition.
Thousands of people lined up along the way, from Semotokha Dzong till the Tashichodzong, with offerings to receive the blessings from His Holiness.
Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley, along with the Opposition Leader, Tshering Tobgay, the cabinet ministers and the Members of the Parliament also received the Soelthap.
The Soelthap travels to Thimphu on the first day of the fourth Bhutanese month.
Every year, the monk body spends winter at the Puna-Dewa-Chenpoi-Phodrang in Punakha, moving to Thimphu on the first day of fourth Bhutanese month.
The tradition of maintaining a summer and a winter residence dates back to the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the early 17th century.