Culture: About a hundred people consisting of dzongkhag officials, monks and the people of Kawang joined Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay and home minister Damcho Dorji, to undertake restoration works on the historic Mani Dangrim choeten at Dodeyna yesterday. A new sokshing and nangtens (relics) were also installed inside the chorten.

The sacred choeten was built by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo’s 10th reincarnate, Penchen Tenzin Choegyal in memory of his Tsawai Lama Kheydrup Tenzin Dhendup in the 18th century.

During the 35th Birth Anniversary celebrations of His Majesty the King on February 21 this year, Lyonchoen had announced that the government and people of Bhutan would be renovating and restoring chortens across the country to pay tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on the occasion of his 60th Birth Anniversary.

Lyonchoen said it was essential to adopt a noble approach and consider it a collective responsibility, of both the government and the people of Bhutan, to preserve its age-old monuments.

Thimphu, as a part of the 60th Birth Anniversary initiated the restoration works.