Sikkim govt proposes 3 statues for Singtam-Khamdong constituency

Gangtok: A statue of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo has been proposed for the Singtam-Khamdong constituency on Monday. The 50-foot-high statue of the Buddhist saint will be of the first religious tourism project to come to the constituency.

The foundation stone for the project spread across 7.92 acres in Sanga Dadulling monastery was laid by the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche, along with the 10th Kyabje Tinkey Gonjang Rinpoche in the presence of Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay and Ecclesiastical Affairs Minister Sonam Lama.

The project could cost Rs. 43.59 crore, with the statue to be built at Rs. 17.60 crore within 36 months. Along with the statue, a centre for Sikkim Buddhism and Buddhist craft will also be constructed. The centre will also provide training for dying Buddhist arts like Lharipa training and carving along with the teachings of Lhatsun Chenpo. The project shall also include replicas of four sacred caves of Sikkim.

In phase two of the project, a statue of Mensolong at Rapen and another of the first Chogyal of Sikkim Phuntsok Namgyal at Badong has also been proposed.

Speaking to the media following the foundation stone laying ceremony, Ecclesiastical Affairs Minister Sonam Lama stated, “The collective cost of the projects is estimated at Rs 100 crore. The Singtam-Khamdong constituency had no dedicated tourism point, we are hopeful that the construction of these three statues will bring tourism to the constituency. The statue of Lhatsun Chenpo is important as he was once living as a saint in Sikkim. Similarly, the statue of the first Chogyal Phuntsok Namgyal will also be another attraction”.

The Ecclesiastical Minister promised to complete the project in the next 2 years, referring to the speed of construction for the recently inaugurated 14-storey mall completed in 1.5 years. He also delved into the potential for growth of homestay tourism in the constituency.

Singtam-Khamdong legislator MK Sharma resigned as Health Minister in early 2023 over Immigrant row. Since his absence, the SKM government has named Sonam Lama as the in-charge of the constituency.

Meanwhile, Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche has come from Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh, coming to Sikkim after 32 years.

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