Followers of Buddhism came together in Arunachal Pradesh recently to celebrate 'Bodh Sanskriti Mahotsav' and sent out a message of peace and harmony.
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The mist-covered mountains surrounding Dirang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district woke up to the soothing notes of Buddhist chants and lama dances.
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The occasion was Bodh-Sanskriti Mahotsav celebrated as part of Centre's plans to organize more Buddhist-centric events to promote the religion circuit tourism to foster stronger ties with South East Asia.
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Over a thousand people, including Buddhist scholars, art practitioners and lamas flocked to the Dirang stadium to witness one of the grandest religious festivals in the state.
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Organised by the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, the five-day long event was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju.
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Speaking on the occasion, Rijiju said that government is committed towards development of the state.
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"I assure you areas including Tezpur, Bhalukpong and Tawang will be developed including the road infrastructure. It will benefit the local residents. We have started developmental programmes on power transmission and telephone network. We will provide more funds for electricity generation and I assure you that villages will get 24 hours power supply in the days to come," he said.
The region holds enormous significance for Buddhists across the world.
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The 400-year-old Galden Namgey Lhatse monastery is located in Tawang district and is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries after Potala Palace in Lhasa in Tibet.
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Tawang is also the birth place of the sixth Dalai Lama.
