Religion: Trashigang dzongkhag’s annual moenlam chenmo began yesterday.

The moenlam chenmo was presided over by the Lam Neten and three trulkus from Kanglung shedra.

Over 700 monks from the dratshang, Kanglung shedra and dratshang yenlag lobdras, including lay monks from gendeys, are reciting prayers to commemorate the 60th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King and His Holiness the Je Khenpo.

Lopen Karma Dupchu, dratshang’s planning officer, said that monks will recite chenrezi and manidungdrup prayers for the first three days.  It will then be followed by three days of moenlam chenmo and a kurim on the final day.

“The Chenrezi and Manidungdrup prayers are being performed for the victims of the massive earthquakes in Nepal,” said Lopen Karma Dupchu.

The dratshang’s kudrung Sangay Drakpa said that this year’s moenlam chenmo has included chenrezi prayers, manidungdrup and kurim.

Kanglung gup Kinzang Dorji said that, for the first time, the gups from the 15 gewogs of Trashigang are coordinating the moenlam chenmo.

“The gups are handling everything, from cooking to procurement,” said Kinzang Dorji.

Civil servants, the business community, dratshang, shedra and villagers, among others, are funding the moenlam chenmo.

The moenlam chenmo will continue for seven days.

Tshering Wangdi,  Trashigang