Sep 13 2015
:
The Times of India
(Delhi)
Buddha will sit tall in Gujarat
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Bharat Yagnik
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Ahmedabad:
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108-M Statue Will Be World's Second Tallest
The Gujarat government is
going ahead with a 108-meter tall Buddha statue at Dev ni Mori near
Shamlaji, 150 km north of Ahmedabad. It'll be the second tallest Budhha
statue in the world after the Spring Temple in China (153 meters) -and
the tallest of a sitting Buddha, beating a 92-meter statue in Thailand.
A detailed report of the Rs
700-crore project, built around the statue, was presented at Bodh Gaya
on September 5 at the International Buddhist Conference where 400
delegates from 26 nations participated. Prime Minister Naren
dra Modi was present as officials of the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas
Board (GPYVB) laid out the plan for a 100-acre development near the
historic site, complete with a stupa, parks, monaste
ries set up by Buddhist countries from across the world, exhibits, and a
library . This was said to be one of Modi's cherished projects while he
was chief minister of Gujarat. The statue will have Buddha covered by a
sevenhooded Mucalinda, the mythological serpent who provided shelter
when Buddha was in meditation.
Dev ni Mori was excavated by the state archaeology department in 1953. Dating back to 3rd century AD, the site had a monastery and a stupa. The most important discovery from the site was a 1,700-year-old casket which has bodily relics of Buddha. Kept at MS University at present, a replica of the casket was presented to visiting Chinese president Xi Jinping during his Ahmedabad visit last year.
The expansion plan includes formation of an educational institute on the line of an ancient monastery . Japan and Sri Lanka have shown interest in partnering in the project.
Dev ni Mori was excavated by the state archaeology department in 1953. Dating back to 3rd century AD, the site had a monastery and a stupa. The most important discovery from the site was a 1,700-year-old casket which has bodily relics of Buddha. Kept at MS University at present, a replica of the casket was presented to visiting Chinese president Xi Jinping during his Ahmedabad visit last year.
The expansion plan includes formation of an educational institute on the line of an ancient monastery . Japan and Sri Lanka have shown interest in partnering in the project.
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