His Majesty The King graced the salhang tendrel ceremony for the Gelephu International Airport on December 23.

The ceremony was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, with the interim government, senior government officials, the Indian Ambassador, and lams and trulkus from all Buddhist traditions in Bhutan, attending.

The salhang tendrel ceremony is of great importance before commencing any construction, reflecting the deeply held respect for land in Bhutanese culture. The ceremony is held to honour the land deity believed to protect the land, and seek her permission to use the land, as well as receive her blessings and continued protection for all future work and inhabitants of that place.

Simultaneously, salhang tendrel ceremonies were held at 9 other sites across the future Gelephu Mindfulness City.

The international airport will be an important component of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, which was announced during His Majesty’s National Day address.