Speaking on this occasion, Shri Ravindra Singh said that the Buddh Mahotsava and the Dhamma Darsan exhibition are being organised to facilitate and encourage cooperation in the realms of art, architecture, sculpture and culture on the whole.
Education including academic activities, in these fields and to foster understanding of the rich cultural legacy of Lord Buddha.
Shri Ravindra Singh also accepted the request of the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia for gifting this exhibition to the Embassy of India in Cambodia to spread the message of Lord Buddha in Cambodia.
The six-day Festival would comprise of a Ramayana Dance Festival performed by Kalakshetra Foundation, a Buddha Mahotsava consisting of an Exhibition called Dhamma Darsana by the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara and Lama Chanting, Sand Mandala and sacred dances by the Central Institute of Himalayan Cultural Centre. The South Zone Cultural Centre is the nodal agency for conducting the event.
Buddhist monks from the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies performed the Sand Mandala, Butter Sculpture, Lama Chanting and Monastic Dances before a capacity audience comprising of the Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia Samdech Vong Tep and other venerable monks from Cambodia and senior dignitaries from the Royal Government of Cambodia.
An Exhibition depicting the life and times of Buddha the Dhamma Darsana was also inaugurated along with the Buddh Mahotsava.
The Dhamma Darsana received wide response as hundreds of Cambodian People witnessed the digitized prints depicting the life and times of Buddha at Lumbini, Kushinagar, Ajanta, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Nagarjuna Konda and Sanchi.
The Kalakshetra Foundation performed the first and second episodes of Jatayu Moksham and Maha Pattabhishekam in Siem Reap at the Sofitel Hotel and then perform 3 episodes of the Ramayana at the fully sold out Chaktomuk National Cultural Centre at Phnom Penh.
Earlier in the day, Shri Ravindra Singh called on Mr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Council of Ministers. During the discussions the Deputy Prime Minister thanked the Indian authorities for conducting the Festival of India in Cambodia which will strengthen India’s civilizational links with the region.
Shri Ravindra Singh also held bilateral meetings with Ms. Phoeung Sakona the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Mr. Long Visalo Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The talks covered wide ranging issues on promotion of cultural links between the two countries. Shri Dinesh Patnaik Ambassador of India to Cambodia and Shri V. Srinivas, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Culture accompanied Shri Ravindra Singh as members of the Indian delegation in the bilateral meetings.
