His Majesty The King granted Dassain Tikka and blessings to members of the Hindu community gathered at the Lingkana Palace today.  A representative each from the sixty gewogs of Samtse, Sarpang, Dagana, Samdrup Jongkhar, Chukha, and Tsirang, were joined by other representatives of the Hindu community including the Hindu Dharma Samudaya.

The Durga Puja was held yesterday at the Lingkana Palace, by priests from the Hindu Dharma Samudaya. At the Puja, His Majesty offered prayers before Goddess Durga.

Dassain is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu community in Bhutan. The festival, which lasts for 15 days, starts from the new moon till the full moon on the Hindu month of Ashvin/Asauj.

The Tikka used in the ceremony today was sanctified from the Durga Puja. After being blessed by His Majesty, part of the Tikka was distributed through the Hindu mandir, and used in Tikka ceremonies across the homes of Hindu families.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and other senior officials of the government also took part in the celebration.

Dassain was declared a national holiday in 1980.

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