BOMDILA, Nov 9: The four-day 20th Drub-Chod Chenmo Torgya Festival is being celebrated at GRL Monastery, Bomdila, with traditional Buddhist rituals, prayers, monastic dances and cultural programmes.
The festival, which commenced on November 7 and will conclude on November 10, is being held in the presence of His Eminence Zangling Tulku Rinpoche, Abbot of GRL Monastery, and has drawn a large gathering of devotees and visitors.
Addressing the gathering, West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar extended his greetings on the auspicious occasion and described Torgya as a celebration of peace, positivity, harmony and collective well-being.
Highlighting the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha, particularly Daya (kindness), Ahimsa (non-violence) and Karuna (compassion), he urged people to imbibe these values in their daily lives and uphold kindness and respect towards all living beings.
He also appealed to the public to visit the Lower Gompa and have darshan of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, which are on public exposition until November 13.
Emphasising the rich cultural diversity and spiritual significance of West Kameng district, the DC lauded GRL Monastery for its invaluable role in preserving and promoting age-old Buddhist traditions, religious practices and cultural heritage.
He stressed the need to safeguard indigenous customs and traditions and urged the younger generation to remain connected to their roots and actively contribute towards preserving their cultural legacy. He also assured continued support from the district administration for initiatives aimed at promoting social welfare and cultural preservation.
The festival features traditional monastic dances and cultural performances showcasing the region's rich Buddhist traditions, religious ethos and cultural heritage.
The celebration was attended by Superintendent of Police Dr DW Thongon, senior Army officials, heads of offices, other dignitaries and a large gathering of devotees.