Devotees flock to Phukbkhand

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, March 7: Scores of believers of Lord Buddha took part in the pilgrimage 'Phukbkhand', a famous pilgrimage place situated at Dorjeelling village under Mechukha circle of West Siang district on Thursday. Dorjeelling village is one of the important tourist places in Mechukha. The participants from Mechukha town and its nearby areas covered around 10 km distance on foot to reach the place. The people of area particularly Memba community have been visiting this sacred place since ages to offer prayers and get blessings. Phukbkhand pilgrimage coincides with the Hindu Festival Holi. Phukbkhand is a med of an underground cave with the images of Lord Buddha and other deities imprinted on the walls of cave. It is believed that a great lama meditated inside the cave for three years without food and water. The pilgrimage was organized by the believers of Lord Buddha under the banner of Tourism Development Society (TDS) as part of annual pilgrimage to seek blessings from the Almighty to strengthen their inner-self and aura. The day-long programme marked by rituals and prayer offerings performed by the monks to invoke blessings for peace, prosperity and wellbeing of the people. Sanctified eatables were distributed among the participants for good health and fortune throughout the year. Later, the TDS volunteers conducted cleanliness drive at the pilgrim spot.