By NNN-KUENSEL,
Sthimphu : It’s good news for Bhutanese pilgrims making trips to the hot spring in Rajgir, India. They will be safer and won’t have lodging problems during their stay there, at least not in the near future.
The Bhutan government has identified three acres of land near the hot spring site, the prime minister, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley, said to reporters here.
He said considering the well being of Bhutanese pilgrims, they intended to construct a guesthouse and create a secure place for pilgrims to camp as well.
“We may not be able to start all construction work now, but we’re hoping to fence the area for pilgrim’s safety by this winter,” he said.
The plot was acquired after a detailed discussion with Bihar’s chief minister.
Bhutanese pilgrims, who normally stayed for more than a week, put up in makeshift tents and rented rooms.
“Besides lodging problem, the place doesn’t have drinking water and electricity,” he said. “It’s dirty and camping in such an unsecured area is life risking.”
“The land was granted, considering India’s economic benefit through increasing number of Bhutanese pilgrims to Rajgir every year,” he said.
The prime minister also said they have received an acre of land near the Nalanda university in Rajgir.
“We’ll construct a hostel for Bhutanese monks and nuns, who are interested to study in the university to be reopened by the Indian government,” he said.
He said most pilgrims making trips to renowned Buddhist pilgrim centre in Dorji Dhen, Bodhgaya, make a point to visit the hot spring in Rajgir.