Staff Reporter

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic at the border towns, the Zhung Dratshang (Central Monk Body) will conduct a series of rituals and religious ceremonies to contain and pacify the pandemic starting from tomorrow.

The Dhuemang Lhentshog of Zhung Dratshang came up with a long list of rituals and kurims that will be conducted for a period of one week to 30 days. Zhung Dratshang’s Laytshog Lopon Sangay Dorji will lead a group of lams, lopon and monks to conduct a week long kurim and rituals at Rinchending Goenpa in Phuentsholing.

The other religious ceremonies will be conducted in Kamji Lhakhang, Tashi Choling Shedra, Namgyal Choling Goenzin Dratshang, both in Phuentsholing, Pasakha Goenzin Dratshang, Samtse Rabdey Dratshang, Gelephu and Samdrupjongkhar dratshang.

Thousands of prayer flags will be also hoisted along the border roads between Phuentsholing and Pasakha and Indo-Bhutan borders.

A spokesman from the Zhung Dratshang said that such ritual and kurim ceremonies were being initiated at the behest of the health ministry. “The dratshang then consulted the Institute of Astrology at the Pangrizampa and they came up with so many rituals,” the spokesman said. 

His Holiness the Je Khenpo also directed the Zhung Dratshang to initiate such kurims for the wellbeing of the people living in the border towns.

His Holiness and the Health Ministry are jointly sponsoring the kurims.

Two Covid-19 positive patients lost their lives in Phuentsholing which saw 623 positive cases from April 17 to till date. Of the 623 cases, 190 cases were detected from community. Samtse reported 441 positive cases of which 66 cases from community.