Hyderabad: The sacred occasion of Buddha Purnima was celebrated with great devotion and grandeur at Buddhavanam on Friday.
The event marked the 2570th Buddha Purnima Day celebrations, drawing a large gathering of monks, devotees, scholars, tourists, and dignitaries from across the state.
The event began with traditional Buddhist prayers, chanting, and meditation sessions in the serene surroundings of Buddhavanam, reflecting the timeless teachings of Gautama Buddha—peace, compassion, and harmony.
The Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, attended as the Chief Guest. During the program, the Minister inaugurated a newly developed Children’s Play Area within the Buddhavanam premises, aimed at making the destination more inclusive and engaging for families and young visitors.
A major highlight of the celebrations was the flagging off of the “Mobile Museum on Wheels” by the Minister. This innovative initiative has been conceptualized to take the rich Buddhist heritage, teachings, and cultural legacy beyond the confines of Buddhavanam to people across towns, villages, and educational institutions.
The Mobile Museum is equipped with curated exhibits including replicas of Buddhist sculptures, panels depicting key events from the life of Lord Buddha, digital audio-visual presentations, and informative displays on Buddhist philosophy and history. Designed as a traveling knowledge center, it aims to create awareness among students, youth, and the general public about the profound message of peace, non-violence, and compassion propagated by Lord Buddha.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stated that the Mobile Museum on Wheels would play a crucial role in promoting Buddhist tourism and heritage education across Telangana and beyond. He emphasized that such outreach initiatives would help in connecting younger generations with India’s rich spiritual traditions and inspire values of harmony and coexistence.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister further highlighted the global relevance of Buddha’s teachings in fostering peace and unity in contemporary society. He reiterated the Government of Telangana’s commitment to developing Buddhist heritage sites and enhancing tourism infrastructure.
The celebrations were presided over by Kunduru Jayaveer Reddy, Member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Nagarjunasagar Constituency.
Among the Special Guests were:
Patel Ramesh Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation,
Swarna Manasa Suman, Chairperson, Nandikonda Municipality,
A. Vani Prasad, Special Chief Secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture Department.
The spiritual significance of the event was enriched by the presence of Dhamma Guest Ven. Sanghapala Bhante, who delivered a discourse on Buddhist philosophy and its relevance in modern life.
Distinguished academicians including Prof. Ram Nakshatra Prasad, Former Vice-Chancellor of Nava Nalanda University, Bihar, and Prof. G. N. Srinivas, Vice-Chancellor of Palamuru University, also attended and shared insights on Buddhist heritage and education.
Adding cultural richness to the celebrations, a theatrical performance of the famous Buddhist episode “Chandalika” captivated the audience. The play highlighted themes of equality, compassion, and social justice rooted in Buddhist teachings, receiving wide appreciation.
The event also featured cultural programs, exhibitions, and guided experiences for visitors, making it both spiritually enriching and culturally engaging.
The event was efficiently organized under the guidance of Mallepalli Laxmaiah, Special Officer, Buddhavanam, along with the support of Telangana State
