Hyderabad: Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao will formally receive monks participating in the 3rd Dhamma Padayatra in Hyderabad at 1 pm on February 18 at the 125-foot Dr B R Ambedkar Statue.
Tourism, Culture and Archaeology Minister Jupally Krishna Rao will formally welcome the 3rd Dhamma Padayatra in Hyderabad on February 18. The reception will take place at the iconic 125-foot Dr B R Ambedkar Statue at 1 pm.
The 3rd Dhamma Padayatra reached the city as part of a spiritual march dedicated to spreading Gautama Buddha’s message of peace and compassion. Hundreds of Buddhist monks from Thailand and India participated in the foot march. Elected representatives, senior IAS and IPS officers, and other eminent personalities will accompany the Minister during the reception.
The 3rd Dhamma Padayatra began at the Siddhartha Buddha Vihara in Karnataka. It covered more than 400 kilometres on foot before entering Hyderabad. After paying homage at the Ambedkar Statue, the monks will proceed to Lumbini Park at Hussainsagar to visit the historic Buddha Statue.
3rd Dhamma Padayatra led by Thai monk
The 3rd Dhamma Padayatra is being led by Ven Pra Songshak Kovido, Sangha Project Director from Thailand. It is being organised by Gagan Malik, President of the Gagan Malik Foundation.
Following ceremonies at Hussainsagar, the monks will move to the Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara. They will stay there until February 19. Thereafter, the march will resume through Uppal, Ibrahimpatnam and Kondamallepalli. The spiritual procession will culminate at Buddhavanam in Nagarjunasagar on March 1.
Mallepally Lakshmaiah, Special Officer of Buddhavanam, said the padayatra marked a significant spiritual and cultural initiative. He stated that the event aimed to promote global peace and harmony through the teachings of Buddha.