Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, accompanied by His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck, attended the Dassain tika ceremony at the Devi Panchayan Mandir at Kuenselphodrang on October  24 morning.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck received tika from the pandits who have been conducting the 10-day Durga Puja at the Mandir. Her Majesty offered prayers to the Goddess Durga, and met with the people who had come to the Mandir to offer their prayers, receive tika, and meet Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck.

Dassain is the most important festival for the Hindu community in Bhutan. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, commemorating the victory of Lord Ram, an incarnation of Vishnu, over the demon Ravana. In the Ramayana, Lord Ram is said to have offered prayers to Goddess Durga, culminating in his victory in battle on the tenth day. Dassain is celebrated by families together, with children visiting parents to receive tika. The tika symbolizes elder’s blessings for the wellbeing of their children.