The Bhutanese Leading the way.
His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen are arrived back in the country after a Royal Visit to India.
In India, Their Majesties graced the Founder’s Day celebrations of Her Majesty’s old school, The Lawrence School, in Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh.
Their Majesties also visited some of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Bodhgaya (Dorji Dhen) and Varanasi, on the invitation of the government of India.
In Bodhgaya, Their Majesties visited the Mahabodhi Temple, built on the site where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and the Mahabodhi Society Centre, which houses several relics of Lord Buddha.
Their Majesties also visited the Bhutanese Temple, and the Daijokyo Buddhist Temple in Bodhgaya, and Sujata Village, where, according to legend, a woman named Sujata (Lekima) offered Lord Buddha a bowl of rice pudding when she saw the severely emaciated Gautama meditating.
In Rajgir, Their Majesties visited the ancient Nalanda University ruins and Archaeological Complex, Nalanda Archaeological Museum, the Xuanzang Memorial Hall, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, and Gridhkuta (Ja-Goed-Phungpoi-Ri) – the site where Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of law.
In Sarnath Varanasi, Their Majesties visited the Chaukhandi Stupa, Dharmara j ika Stupa, Dhamekha Stupa (Deer Park), the Mulagandhakuti Vihara Temple and Bodhivriksha; sites which mark the first sermon of Lord Buddha and house many important relics, as well as the Sarnath Archaeological Museum and the statue of the Standing Buddha.
His Majesty also granted an audience to the Bhutanese students who had gathered at the Dhamekha Stupa to welcome Their Majesties.
In Varanasi, Their Majesties visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and graced the evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Their Majesties visit to India is symbollic of the many connections and shared spiritual heritage of our two countries, and a reaffirmation of the strong friendship that exists between India and Bhutan.
