Udayagiri, Jajpur: The sacred landscape of Udayagiri resonated with spiritual chants and the rhythmic sounds of traditional Buddhist rituals as the Odisha Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Odia Language, Literature, Culture Department and District Administration of Jajpur, inaugurated the prayer ceremony of the second Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava alongside the International Buddhist Conference.
The six-day event, running from January 11 to 16, has transformed the Jajpur district into a global hub for Buddhist philosophy. Over 1700 devotees and venerable gurus from prominent monasteries across India and the globe have gathered to honor the legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, the “Lotus-Born” master who was instrumental in spreading Vajrayana Buddhism throughout Tibet and East Asia.
The atmosphere was set by a majestic peace procession that wound its way from the Udayagiri Tourist Reception Center to the ancient Prayer Temple. Monks in traditional robes, accompanied by international participants, marched in a symbolic display of global harmony.
During the inauguration, presided over by Buddhist Guru Wangmo Dixey, Jajpur MP Shri Rabindra Narayan Behera emphasized that India’s identity is rooted in the path of Buddha rather than conflict. He highlighted Jajpur’s historical significance as the heart of Buddhist culture and the home of the ancient Pushpagiri University, a center of learning that once drew scholars from across the known world.
Badachana MLA Shri Amar Kumar Nayak echoed these sentiments, noting that it was from this very soil of Udayagiri that Guru Padmasambhava began his journey to spread Buddhist tenets. The conference, supported by the Light of Buddha Foundation, serves as a bridge between the region’s glorious past and its potential as a global pilgrimage site.
District Collector Shri Ambar Kumar Kar confirmed that extensive arrangements have been made to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and scholars. Beyond the religious rituals and seminars, the delegates are scheduled to visit the famous Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udaygiri Diamond Triangle, the cornerstone of Odisha’s Buddhist heritage.
The event continues with deep-dive seminars featuring historians and researchers who aim to preserve and promote the philosophical essence of the Diamond Triangle. Under the supervision of Culture Secretary Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya and Tourism Secretary Shri Balwant Singh, the conference stands as a testament to Odisha’s commitment to reviving its ancient status as a beacon of Buddhist wisdom.