Salang ceremony held for Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo Centre at Simick Lingzey, Rapen & Badong

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK,: The 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche today initiated the Salang ritual (bhoomi puja) for development of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo Centre at Simick Lingzey, Rapen and Badong for Sikkim Buddhism and Buddhist Craft.

The ceremony was attended by 10th Kyabje Tinkey Gonjang Rinpoche, Chief Minister PS Tamang, Speaker Arun Upreti, Ecclesiastical minister Sonam Lama, dignitaries, devotees and public.

Speaking to the media, the Ecclesiastical minister shared that altogether three projects are being developed at Singtam-Khamdong constituency under the leadership of Chief Minister PS Golay. The State government has sanctioned Rs. 100 crore for these three projects to be developed in three phases, he said.

The Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo Centre project at Simick Lingzey is to be completed in two years. These projects would not only enhance dharma but would also benefit the Singtam-Khamdong constituency in tourism front providing benefits to the local people, he said.

PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Name of the work: Design & Development of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo Centre at Simick Lingzey, Rapen and Badong for Sikkim Buddhism and Buddhist Craft-Phase I

Land details: Around 7.92 acres registered land of Sanga Dadulling Monastery has been proposed for the project. The total cost of the project is Rs. 43.59 crore with the statue costing Rs. 17.60 crore.

Civil work: Tender is under process.

Completion Period: 36 months.

Project Details : In Phase I, Centre for Sikkim Buddhism and Buddhist Craft along with the 50ft high statue of Saint Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo at Simick Lingzey have been proposed. The project shall also envisage the replicas of four sacred caves of Sikkim. It shall also have crafts centre which shall provide training/ skilling for dying Buddhist arts, like Lharipa training, carving etc. Interpretation centre shall provide in-depth knowledge and illustration of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo's teaching. It will also create local employment and set up creative industries in Simick.