Dehradun witnessed the annual Vesak Buddha Purnima Mahotsav, organized by the Doon Buddhist Committee in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The event took place at the IRDT Auditorium near Survey Chowk on Friday, drawing a diverse crowd including members of Buddhist communities and participants from various walks of life, some traveling from other cities.
Ceremonial Start and Cultural Welcome
The festivities commenced at 3:15 pm with a public gathering and the traditional Buddha bathing ritual. A Tashi Shopa welcome dance was performed upon the arrival of chief guest Maling Gombu, chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh Khadi & Village Industries Board and general secretary of the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition. Monks and nuns from Myanmar, affiliated with Subharti University, along with members of the Gaden Jangtse Monastery, offered prayers for world peace.
Messages from State Leadership
Messages from the state leadership were read out during the event. Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) emphasized that the teachings of truth and compassion espoused by Buddha remain highly relevant for modern society. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described Buddha's life as a path of love and self-realization. A video message blessing global peace was shared by Khenchen Konchok Rangdol Rinpoche, President of the Doon Buddhist Committee, who joined from the USA.
Dhamma Discourse and Cultural Performances
Pema Tenzin, former professor at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, delivered an insightful Dhamma discourse. Cultural performances were staged by students from Bhutanese groups, Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha, Chenrezig School, and Tibetan Homes Foundation School, showcasing a blend of traditions.
Launch of Spiritual Song and Award Ceremony
A spiritual song titled 'Appo Deepo Bhava' was launched, conveying a message of inner awakening and global unity. The Dhamma Ratna Award for this year was conferred upon Kamal Singh Negi in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the preservation of Buddhist heritage and social service.
Peace March and Conclusion
The programme concluded with a city peace march from Survey Chowk to Buddha Chowk, spreading the message of non-violence and goodwill. Guests of honour included Baljeet Singh Soni, vice-chairman of the Uttarakhand Minorities Commission; Tsewang Phuntsok, Tibetan Settlement Officer of Uttarakhand; Brig K G Behl (retd), former deputy surveyor general; and Yeshi Thupten, member (Buddhist) of the Uttarakhand Minorities Commission. Dignitaries were felicitated by Tsering Luding, vice-president of the Doon Buddhist Committee, and other members of the organizing body.
