Sikkim, Tourism and Religion

Gangtok: Soon, there will be a new addition to the religious tourism circuit in Sikkim.

Work on a statue of Lord Buddha in Rabong is expected to start on May 3. It will be part of Sikkim’s efforts in uniting tourism and religion.

The 125-ft statue will come up on a plot of 25 acres along the road to Ralang Monastery, 1.5 km from the main town. Preliminary work on the project started on Friday.

In 2006, celebrated as the 2,550th birth anniversary of Sangay Chomden Dey (Lord Buddha), the state government took the decision to add the statue to the existing Buddhist circuit.

Every year, a large number of pilgrims pass through Rabong in South Sikkim as many of the monasteries like Tashiding, Pemayangtse, Ralang and Bon are located in the vicinity. The Sikkim government expects the statue to draw more crowds.

According to Pan Architecture, the consultants for the project, the statue — to be made from an alloy of nickel, aluminium and bronze and completed by 2009 — will be of a sitting Buddha.

The total cost of the project is Rs 30 crore and Rs 5 crore has already been sanctioned by the state from the annual plan. State minister for urban development D.D. Bhutia said Rabong is best suited for the project, which will also have an eco-garden, because it is well connected to the Buddhist circuit.

“We are thankful to chief minister Pawan Chamling for having sanctioned the project. This will not only boost tourism but also provide employment opportunities to people living in the area,” Bhutia said.

The eco-garden will have herbal and medicinal plants and rare species of Sikkimese flora. It will also boast of a musical fountain.

Source: The Telegraph