Dalai Lama inaugurates south Asia's biggest monastery at Chandragiri near Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: The newly-built Buddhist monastery at Chandragiri near Berhampur, described as the biggest of its kind in South Asia and an architectural marvel, was unveiled by the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The inauguration ceremony of the 70-feet height and five-storied monastery, known as Rigon Thupten Mindoling was witnessed by around 300 Lamas from across the country. The monastery which is spread over 10 acres has been built at a cost of Rs eight crore. The construction work on the monastery started in December 2003 and it was completed in 2009. The monastery houses a 21 feet high idol of Budha, 17-feet high second Budha Padma Sambhav and the idols of Avaloketeswara. The Padmasmbhav Mahavihar Monastery - named after Padmasambhav, the founder of the Vajrayana sect of the Mahayana path, is built in Atanpuri style of architecture of Nalanda. Padmasabhava was believed to have been born in Orissa and spread Buddhism to Tibet during the seventh century. The Monastry will be able to accomodate around 200 resident monks. It has a library which contains a copy of the Jang Satham Kangyur, the first and most ancient of all the collections of the teachings of Buddha which was produced in Tibet in 17th century, an office, a dispensary, a guest house and a restaurant. The first Rigon Thupten Mindroling monastery was founded in 1966 and the site for the new Padmasabhav Mahavihara monastery was accorded by the Dalai Lama in 1998. The foundation stone for the new monastery was laid in 2003 and the construction was completed in 2008. Around four thousand people from the country and abroad congregated at Chandragiri to watch the inauguration and consecration ceremony.

Sources: Tathya.in, Asian Age, Business Standard