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Boudha Mela to be held at Thotlakonda

VISAKHAPATNAM: Buddhist organisations will conduct Boudha Mela on December 6 atop Thotlakonda to mark the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Buddhist monks including Bazar Lama from Tibet, a disciple of Nobel laureate the Dalai Lama, Khemachara Thero from Tripura and a delegation from Myanmar and State president of All India Lay Buddhist Association Ragidi Ramudu and president of Andhra Buddha Sangham B. Arun Kumar will attend.

Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex, where major excavations were carried out during 1988-1993 by the State Archaeology Department led to recovery of several stupas and viharas along with Satavahana lead and Roman silver coins and 12 Brahmi level inscriptions.

During the mela, daylong discussions will be held on how to propagate Buddhism and conserve historic Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. A book authored by lawyer M.V.S. Appa Rao ‘Vipassanaa’ will be released by VUDA Vice-Chairman V.N. Vishnu.

Boudha Parishad secretary G. Naveen told reporters on Sunday that they were expecting 2,000 delegates from all over the district. Mr. Naveen expressed concern at the dilapidated condition of Thotlakonda, Bavikonda and Pavuralakonda and said they would submit a detailed representation to VUDA for protecting Buddhist sites. He said they would also prepare an action plan to promote tourism. G. Babulu and B. Venugopal Gautam, president and general secretary of Maha Boudha Society and Boddu Kalyana Rao, president of District SC Welfare Association were present.

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