Pedong, April 7: Forty-seven-year-old Shabdung Nawang Jigme Rimpoche, a Buddhist monk from Bhutan living in exile, passed away on April 5.

The Rimpoche is said to be the ninth reincarnation of Shabdung Rimpoche.

Secretary of Sang Chen Dorje Gumpha, Kinga Lama, said: “His Holiness was taken to Bangalore for treatment but the disease could not be diagnosed.”

The Rimpoche expired on April 5 at around midnight at Vellore.

His body will be brought to Kalimpong on April 9. “He will be brought in a plane on April 9 to Bagdogra from where we will bring him to Kalimpong,” said Lama.

The cortege of the Rimpoche will halt at two places. “We will first stop at Chitra near a waterfall. This was the Rimpoche’s favourite spot, where he always stopped while travelling. We will also stop at Dalapchand Gumba at 15 mile,” said Lama.

Shabdung Nawang Jigme Rimpoche was born in Manla village in the Tashi Yangtshe district in eastern Bhutan. He was the head of Dalapchand Gumpha. Kalimpong.