KTR to inaugurate Buddhavanam project on May 14
A Buddhist Heritage Museum in the ground floor of Maha Stupa established by the state Archaeology and Museums Department got good response from foreign countries especially from Southeast Asian countries.
Hyderabad: Telangana Minister for Information Technology and Municipal Administration K T Rama Rao will inaugurate the Buddhavanam project, Asia’s biggest Heritage theme park, at Nagarjunasagar in Nalgonda district of the state on Saturday.
Sprawled over 274 acres of land on the left Bank of the river Krishna, the project was developed by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) at a cost of Rs 100 crore with the financial assistance from the Central and State Governments, for the benefit of domestic and foreign tourists particularly coming from the South-East Asian countries, according to Project Special Officer Mallepalli Laxmaiah.
It was divided into eight segments with an elegant Entrance Plaza –Buddhacharitavanam, Jatakavanam (Bodhisattva Park), Dhyanavanam (Meditation Park), Stupavanam, Mahastupa, Buddhist Education Centers like – Monasteries, Educational Institutions, like — Schools and Universities, Buddhist Arts & Craft Village, Hospitality units like — Budgeted Hotels, Resorts, Auditoriums, Convention centre, Wellness Centers like — Meditation centre, Traditional Buddhist Medical centre and other Therapies, he said.
Laxmaiah said it will be the first in the country having many thematic segments depicting the Major events from the life of Siddhartha Gautama and his previous birth stories, Miniature Stupas of National (5 No’s) & International (8 No’s) models.
A Buddhist Heritage Museum in the ground floor of Maha Stupa established by the state Archaeology and Museums Department got good response from foreign countries especially from Southeast Asian countries.
The Sri Lanka government has come forward and donated the Replica of Avukana Buddha Statue (27’ Height) and Dhamma Bell under Indo – Sri Lankan Cultural Exchange programme, the Special Officer said.
The Government is also interested in building their Simhala – Vihara complex in the premises of the Sriparvata Arama (Buddhavanam).
The replica of Mahastupa (Amaravathi Style) with Sculptural embellishments will be the main attraction of the Buddhist Theme Park.
To create an ambience atmosphere of Buddhism, a plaza is created at the main entrance depicting Buddhist motifs and symbols and also Dharma Chakra at the Centre.
The Entrance Plaza of Sriparavtarama is a square having eight quadrants with four openings.
All the quadrants are embellished with panels with sculptures depicting Asthanmangala (eight auspicious) symbols, Buddha in iconic form, animals, birds, Bodhi tree and Mithunas(amorous couples), the central themes including Buddhapadas, pillar of fire carrying the crown(Hair) of Siddhartha, Nagamuchilinda, worship of holy Relic and Siddhartha carrying a mighty bow.
At the centre of the Plaza standing in the octagonal basement, an octagonal column carrying the Dharma Chakra whose spokes depict different virtues.
Dharma Chakra is Asoka’s contribution to Buddhist Art. At the base of the pillar on all four sides half lotus medallions are carved.
