Exhibition on India’s Buddhist Heritage during Vesak underscores civilizational connect

The High Commission of India in Colombo has organized a special exhibition on India’s rich Buddhist heritage as a part of the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival at Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, accompanied by High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, senior ministers, and other dignitaries, visited the exhibition at the soft opening of the Vesak Festival, jointly organized by the President's Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office, and Gangaramaya Temple on May 3, 2023. The Special Exhibition, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha on the sacred Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, underlines the civilizational connection between India and Sri Lanka.

The exhibition displays digital recreations of the fresco paintings from the world-famous UNESCO Heritage Site of Ajanta Caves in India, depicting significant episodes from Lord Buddha’s life and Jataka tales. Ajanta Caves are Buddhist cave monuments in Maharashtra, India, dating back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C.

The exhibition is yet another testimony to India’s untiring efforts to preserve and restore Buddhist heritage in India and across the world. The curators of the exhibition, Mr. Ankur Naik and Mr. Prasad Pawar, gifted a replica of the digitally restored Padma of the renowned 'Padmapani' on an original basalt stone to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in what is a vivid example of the impressive restoration works that are being carried out in Ajanta caves.

The exhibition was also displayed at the first Global Buddhist Summit held in New Delhi, India, from April 20–21, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi viewed this exhibition at the summit.

The exhibition is open for public viewing from May 5-7, 2023.