A dance performed by a team of artistes led by Koka Vijayalakshmi was the highlight of Buddha Purnima celebrations held in the backdrop of a stunning and illuminated statue of Dhyana Buddha on the banks of river Krishna on Monday evening. The day marked a special day, a full moon day on Vaisakhi, when Buddha was born, got enlightenment and attained nirvana.
The ballet captured the all the major events in the life of Buddha, including his birth, enlightenment under the Bodh Gaya tree, his teachings centred around non-violence and peace and finally his attainment of nirvana.
Their dance troupe presented a scintillating spectacle of the times in medieval India when Buddha was born.
The stunning spectacle of a 130 feet tall Buddha statue was inspiring enough for the speakers to dwell deep into the philosophy of Buddhism. With the State capital named after Amaravathi, the erstwhile capital of Satavahana dynasty and a popular Buddhist centre under which Amaravati Art form flourished, the celebrations attained all together a different hue. The village was also identified as a heritage town and would be developed as a major tourist and heritage centre with an assistance of Rs. 21 crore.
District Collector Kantilal Dande said that teachings of Buddha were as relevant in the present times as they were in the past. Lauding the efforts of Joint Director of Social Welfare R. Mallikarjuna Rao in constructing a giant statue of Buddha in dhayana mudra, the Collector assured him that all efforts would be made to complete the remaining works.
Pedakurapadu MLA Kommalapati Sridhar and others were present.
