‘Bouddha Maha Sammelan’ begins in Mysuru

The two-day international Buddhist cultural convention ‘Bouddha Maha Sammelan — Manava Maithriya Payana 2025’, began in Mysuru on Tuesday.

The mega convention is jointly organised by the Karnataka Rajya Bhikkhu Sangha, Lord Buddha and B.R. Ambedkar organisations and associations, and the Vishwa Maitri Buddha Vihara at the Maharaja’s College Grounds.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the convention on Wednesday at 12.40 p.m. Minister in charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa and several other dignitaries will participate in the event.

Buddhist monks, followers, and delegates from various parts of the country and abroad have arrived to take part in the convention.

The event commenced with the offering of tributes to the idol of Buddha and the portrait of Ambedkar at the venue.

Jnanaprakash Swami of Urilingapeddi Mutt, honorary chairman of the convention; former Mayor Purushottam, chairman of the organising committee; and members of various Buddha and Ambedkar organisations were present.

Ahead of the inaugural ceremony, a grand procession was taken out from the Town Hall to the Maharaja’s College Grounds. The procession was flagged off after paying tributes to the statue of Ambedkar on the Town Hall premises. The idol of Buddha was carried in a flower-bedecked chariot, accompanied by folk troupes performing along the route.