In the absence of Karmapa Orgyen Thinley Dorjee (right), the 12th Goshir Gyaltshab Rinpoche will preside over the ceremony.

Gangtok, Feb 16: All thoughts will turn to religion for a month in the Himalayan belt, beginning March 18, when a prayer ceremony will start at Karma Rabten-Ling, the old Ralong monastery in South Sikkim.

The prayers, known as the Kwang, are a series of initiations and blessings on the sentient beings, mostly teachings of the past Karmapas.

Devotees from the hill state, neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and even Arunachal Paradesh are expected to attend the festival.

The initiations will be bestowed by the 12th Goshir Gyaltshab Rinpoche, one of the regents of the Rumtek monastery, who is also now the head at the Rumtek monastery due to the absence of the Karmapa.

The event that culminates with the Buddha Purnima, on April 15, is one of the most awaited ceremonies. Over 200 monks will recite and hold prayer sessions during the month-long festival.

The prayers of the Karma Kagyu sect include initiations, worship of deities and teachings of the past Karmapas like the initiation of Vajra Yogini Sadhana (swift path of the supreme great secret), a teaching of the 6th Karmapa.

Chakrasamvara of five deities, a teaching of the 8th Karmapa and Chiksey Kundol (liberation of all by the knowing one), a teaching of the 9th Karmapa, will also feature prominently during the ceremonies.

Transcripts of the Buddha Amitabha and the initiation of the Mahakala will also be held along with long-life initiations, the crown ceremony of the Goshir Gyaltshab and other prayers and offerings, members of the Kwang Managing Committee, which is organising the event, said.

The organisers, led by the health minister, D. D. Bhutia, who is also the representative from the area, have already begun seeking responses from worshippers and sponsors. The ecclesiastical department and the culture department are supporting the cause.

While the committee will provide monks who attend the rituals with room and board, devotees have been asked to make their own arrangements.