Chief Minister Pawan Chamling Unveils World's Largest Statue in Sikkim

Guwahati: Within a month after the inauguration of the Northeastern region's first ever Greenfield airport, the Pakyong Airport on September 24, Sikkim has yet again come up with another great achievement with the completion of the magnificent iconic statue of 'Chenrezig Shingkham Riwo Potala’ on Thursday.

The inauguration of the 135 feet tall statue was done by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Thursday at the Sanghachoeling Monastery in Pelling under West Sikkim and dedicated it to the people of Sikkim and the world.

As per reports, the statue worth rupees 69.99 crore was consecrated by Kyabje Dodrupchen Rimpoche, Gonja Rimpoche and Lachung Rimpoche on Wednesday.

What comes as a very good news is that this magnificent project has also included reception block, skywalk, interpretation courtyard and water serpent body including ample space for a shopping complex and a cafeteria thus expecting to draw huge attention of tourists from all across the world.

It needs to be mentioned here that the multi-crore project has a magnificent location as it nestles on the alluring hilltop near Sangha Cheoling monastery, about 1.5 km away from Pelling, a tourist destination spot in West Sikkim thus adding to the enchanting beauty of the state.

As per sources, in his addressing speech during the inauguration programme, Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling stated that Sikkim has become a ‘Cheosam’ (altar) completed with the statues of Lord Buddha at Tathagata Tsal in Rabongla, Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse and Chenrezig at Sanghachoeling.

Expressing concern over the preservation of the assets the state possesses, he urged that the people of Sikkim should take ownership and responsibility to protect and maintain these holy places.

He also mentioned that the State Government has been working for the development of the state since inception and such infrastructures would not only attract devotees but will further promote pilgrimage tourism in this Himalayan state.

Chamling also expressed his gratitude to all the religious heads for their guidance and for the efforts of the Ministers, heads of departments and the people of Sikkim for turning this dream project into reality. Adding to this he also mentioned that the second phase of the construction of the project would soon take shape after the Budget sessions of 2019.

Expressing his contentment and immense joy on the completion of the iconic project, the Chief Minister said that the sanctity of Sikkim has increased manifold with the completion of the world's largest Chenrezig Shingkham Riwo Potala.

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