COLOMBO – A special exhibition on India’s rich Buddhist heritage got underway at the Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, as part of the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, accompanied by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lankla, Gopal Baglay, senior ministers and other dignitaries visited the exhibition at the soft opening of the Vesak Festival, on Wednesday (3). The event was jointly organized by the Presidential Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office and the Gangaramaya Temple
The Indian High Commission said the exhibition, part of the National Vesak Festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of The Buddha, underlines the civilizational connect between India and Sri Lanka.
On display are digital recreations of the fresco paintings from the world-famous UNESCO Heritage Site Ajanta Caves of India, depicting significant episodes from The Buddha’s life and Jataka tales. Ajanta Caves are Buddhist cave monuments in Maharashtra, dating back to 2nd and 1st centuries BC.
The exhibition is yet another testimony to India’s untiring efforts to preserve and restore Buddhist heritage in India and across the world, the High Commission said, noting that curators of the exhibition, . Ankur Naik and. Prasad Pawar, had gifted a replica of the digitally restored Padma of the renowned ‘Padmapani’ on an original basalt stone to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in what is a vivid example of the impressive restoration works which are being carried out in Ajanta caves.
The exhibition was also displayed at the first Global Buddhist Summit held in New Delhi in India from April 20-21, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had viewed exhibition at the Summit.
The exhibition will be open for public viewing from May 5 to 7, 2023.
-ENCL
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