Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Friday attended the enthronement ceremony of new Abbot of Tawang Monastery, Gyangbung Rinpoche here in presence of union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju and MLAs Tsering Tashi, Phurpa Tsering and Jambey Tashi.

Speaking at the event, the Arunachal chief minister expressed happiness on enthronement of New Abbot and welcomed Gyangbung Rinpoche on his new roles and responsibilities.

He said the Monpa community is thankful to the role played by the monastery in inculcating peace, discipline and humbleness among the people.

“Due to role of religion in the society, people here are peaceful and the district boasts of very low crime due to which the district has low presence of policemen numbering less than 100,” Khandu said.

He added that Tawang Monastery is renowned not only in the state but world over and the enthronement of the new Abbot is a significant event, which has its effect all over the world.

Built sometime in the 17th century, Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and second largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

During the occasion, traditional monastic dances were performed by the local monks.

Chief minister Pema Khandu on his Twitter handle on Friday said: “Felt blessed to have attended the enthronement ceremony of new Abbot of Tawang Monastery His Eminence Gyangbung Rinpoche this morning at Tawang.”