Jaigaon, West Bengal: From 23 October to 7 November 2026, the Kalon of the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi, undertook an official visit to attend the inauguration ceremony of Pal Sakya Thegchen Phuntsok Ling (Sakya Heritage Society), the long-life offering ceremony for Lineage Holders of the Sakya Khon family, and the enthronement ceremony of the 44th Sakya Trizin, Kyabgon Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche, as the head of both the spiritual and administrative lineage. During the visit, the Kalon also paid courtesy visits to several monasteries and institutions and interacted with members of the Tibetan community in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Gangtok.
On 25 October, Kalon attended the inauguration ceremony of Pal Sakya Thegchen Phuntsok Ling in Jaigaon. The ceremony commenced at the main entrance of the temple, where Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche, Kyabgon Gongma Trizin Rinpoches and the senior lamas recited auspicious prayers before formally inaugurating the newly constructed monastery by cutting a five-coloured ceremonial ribbon. They subsequently lit butter lamps before the monastery’s main shrine.
Following the ceremonial inauguration, the Rinpoches took their respective seats, after which Kyabgon Avikrita Vajra Sakya Rinpoche made an offering of a Mandala and three auspicious representations of the Buddha’s body, speech, and mind before Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche.
The programme continued with addresses by Kyabgon Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche; the hon’ble Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs of West Bengal, Shri Bishal Lama; and Kyabje Mati Vajra Rinpoche. After their remarks, Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche delivered a keynote address.
During the subsequent prayer recitation, Kalon Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi offered a mandala and three auspicious representations of the Buddha’s body, speech, and mind to Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche. He also presented khatags (traditional white ceremonial scarves) to the assembled Rinpoches and, as a gesture of reverence and auspiciousness, made a monetary offering accompanied by a white ceremonial scarf to Kyabgon Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche.
Following the ceremony, the Kalon travelled to Gangtok, where he visited several monasteries in the region. His first stop was Guru Kubum Sangngak Chokhor Ling Monastery, followed by visits to Rumtek Pal Karma Shedrup Chokhor Ling Monastery, Pal Karma Zurmang Shedrup Chokhor Ling Monastery, and Tingkye Gonjang Ogyen Do-ngak Chokhor Ling Monastery.
In the afternoon, he continued his visits to Pal Sakya Ngor Gonpa, Upper Druk Kagyu Tshechok Ling Monastery, and Serje Drophen Ling Monastery.
During his interactions with the monastic authorities, the Kalon introduced the Department of Religion and Culture’s ongoing Tibetan Digital Library and Pilgrimage App initiatives, highlighting their objectives and progress. He also held discussions on various matters concerning the monasteries and their activities, concluding the first day of his official engagements in Gangtok.