Bhutan PM arrives on pilgrimage

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Togbay today arrived at Bodh Gaya in Bihar on a pilgrimage to Mahabodhi Temple, the holiest shrine of the Buddhists where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.
He was received by Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State (MoS) for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports.
Accompanied by his wife and a 21-member delegation, Togbay offered special prayers at the temple and participated in a programme held under the Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha is said to have prayed for enlightenment.
Speaking on the occasion Togbay said, "Bodh Gaya is a very important place for Buddhists across the globe. It is a special place of faith for the people of Bhutan and everybody from my country wants to come here at least once in his life."

He said the air service from Bhutan to Bodh Gaya will continue during the tourist season as a large number of pilgrims and tourists come here.
Welcoming the Bhutan PM, Sonowal gifted him a sapling of the Bodhi Tree and said the Centre has fulfilled its promises made to the people of Bhutan.
"The sapling of the revered Bodhi Tree is also a part of it. This is also the year of the 60th birth anniversary of the King of Bhutan and bilateral relations between the two countries will strengthen further on the occasion," he added.