Sri Lankan devotees take part in the Buddha Poornima celebrations in Bodhgaya on Tuesday. Picture by Suman

Gaya, May 17: A colourful procession from the 80-ft-tall Buddha statue to Mahabodhi Mahavihara marked the beginning of the year-long commemoration of the 2,600th year of enlightenment of Prince Siddhartha who came to be known as Lord Buddha.

More than 1,500 devotees and tourists from Sri Lanka, Thailand and representatives of monasteries from different countries with schoolchildren from Bodhgaya took part in the procession.

Later, addressing the main function under the sacred Bodhi tree on the Mahabodhi Mahavihara campus, Governor Devanand Konwar said: “Almost half the world’s population had embraced Buddhism. Even United Nations Organisation (UNO) had accepted the teachings of non-violence, compassion, brotherhood and harmony imparted by Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. Even political conflicts cannot be solved through war or nuclear power but through the power of the soul that is the teaching of Buddha and Gandhi.”

The Mahabodhi Mahavihara was a symbol of supreme enlightenment for people across the world. The state had given a positive attitude to the world.

In ancient times, Nalanda was a source of light to the world. Students and the scholars of neighbouring countries like Japan, China and Sri Lanka came to Nalanda to study.

The governor said: “Development can be achieved through a peaceful mind.”

He said: “Japan has less population than Uttar Pradesh, yet Japan is one of the most scientifically and technologically powerful countries in the world.”

Artistes from Sri Lanka perform at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya on Tuesday. Picture by Suman

The ambassador of Bhutan, V. Namgyal, who was the special guest on the occasion, said: “Bhutan is keen to extend cultural ties and promote tourism with India, especially Bihar.”

He said: “The recent visit of chief minister Nitish Kumar to Bhutan has further strengthened the idea.”

He stressed the need to follow the eight-fold middle path propagated by Lord Buddha.

District magistrate-cum-Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) chairperson Bandana Preyashi, who proposed the vote of thanks, said the auspicious day of Buddha Poornima marked the beginning of the year-long social, religious and charitable activities. As part of the charitable activity, the BTMC charitable clinic started operations at its campus office from today.

Free health check-up of tourists, devotees and others would be conducted at the charitable clinic. BTMC also offered sanghdana (meal offering) to at least 500 monks today. The Mahabodhi Society of India (MSI) too had planned celebrations on the occasion of Buddha Poornima.

Namgyal will be the chief guest at a programme organised by MSI. Apart from that, devotees from Gujarat owing allegiance to Bodhgaya Mahabodhi Vihara All India Action Committee also organised the Buddha Poornima celebrations at Kalchakra ground at the north-west of the Mahavihara.

Magadh division commissioner Vivek Kumar Singh, BTMC member secretary Nangzey Dorjee and other officials of the district administration and the Bodhgaya Nagar were present at the Mahabodhi Mahavihara.