'Vipassana' centre in city soon, says Nitish

Patna: Bathed in lights emanating from 500 bulbs and aesthetically adorned with yellow marigold flowers, the city's Buddha Smriti Park drew more than 10,000 visitors on the occasion of 2560th Buddha Purnima.
Free entry coupled with pleasant weather added to the festive mood on the sprawling premises on Fraser Road. "The park usually receives around 2,500 visitors at weekends," park's BSP administrative head Mohd Ayaz Ahmed said and added they had to ask for additional security to manage the heavy rush of visitors.
A large number of visitors stayed back to enjoy the laser show in the evening. The 45-minute show, which was inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar on last Buddha Purnima, started at 7pm and and highlighted the history of Bihar as well as the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.
Earlier in the day, CM Kumar participated in the prayers for world peace and prosperity and sought the Lord's blessings for Bihar and India. The prayer session was conducted by Bodhanand Bhante and Revta Bhante.
The CM also participated in a 'vipassana' session. "It is for the first time that I am doing 'vipassana' though I am very much attached with yoga and other forms of meditation. I could feel it helps in increasing concentration. It's easy to perform and people all over the world are getting its benefit," Nitish said and added a world-class 'vipassana' meditation centre would be opened in Patna soon.
Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary, urban development and housing department minister Maheshwar Hazari and former state minister Shyam Rajak also joined the prayers at the park.
In his message, RJD president Lalu Prasad said people should follow the path of brotherhood as shown by Lord Buddha. On the occasion, prayers were also offered by Buddha Mission of India and Gautam Buddha Vihar.