Jammu, November 15 (Scoop News) –All arrangements had been set to welcome Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s visit to Akhnoor and Jammu on wedenesday. Colourful posters with pictures of the Tibetan spiritual leader and flags welcome visitors to the place, where the Dalai Lama address public meeting at Akhnoor at 12.30 p.m.
A security blanket has been thrown around the Jammu and Akhnoor area.
According to a tentative schedule, Dalai Lama is visiting Jammu and Akhnoor on November 16. He would reach Jammu at about 9 am and visit Kala Kendra at 9.30 am to witness an exhibition on the Buddhist remains found at village Ambaran in Akhnoor. He would visit village Ambaran at 10.30 am and later address public meeting at Akhnoor at 12.30 p.m.
The Archaeological Survey of India has discovered this ancient Budhist site at Akhnoor some years back which is presumed to be of great historic and religious significance as per Buddhists point of view.
Giving details about the proposed visit of Dalai Lama to Jammu and Akhnoor, J&K Minister for Health, Sham Lal observed that with the discovery of Buddhist ancient monuments in Akhnoor, the area will be able to occupy a significant place in the world of pilgrim tourism. The Archaeological experts have established that Buddhism came to Jammu during the life time of Lord Buddha as monastic complex discovered at Ambaran Akhnoor suggests. This historic site is located at Ambaran on the right bank of river Chenab at Akhnoor. The ASI had carried out a scientific excavation some time back to ascertain the association of the famous Akhnoor Terracotta heads with the Buddhists monastic establishment at Ambaran besides studying the layout and planning of the site, believed to be the only ancient Budhist site in Jammu region, the Ministers informed.
Apart from the discoveries of stupa and relics made at Ambaran the exhibition highlights the historic Akhnoor Fort, majestic Chinab river, Jia Poto Temple, Gurudwara Tapo Asthan and Bhagwan Parsuram temple as well as a magnificent pathway constructed along the Chinab River.
Ambaran is gradually attracting wide notice as an ancient Buddhist site the first of its kind excavated in the Jammu region and believed to be the oldest in Jammu and Kashmir which has been known as a cradle of Buddhism in the past and still preserves the religion in its pristine glory.
Akhnoor in Jammu region is also the only Harappan site found so far in Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K Minister, Sham Lal convened a meeting of officers at Akhnoor and discussed the arrangements of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s tomorrow visit to Akhnoor and Jammu.
He issued instructions to the officers of different departments to make elaborate arrangements for the visit of the Noble Laureat. He apprised that more than thousands of people from different parts of the country are expected to gather at the venue to have a glimpse of the Dalai Lama and directed for making necessary arrangements in this connection.
The Minister also visited to the ancient Budhist site along new bridge, Ambaran (Akhnoor), where is expected to visit.
A team of officers of different departments, including Director Tourism,Jammu, Robin Singh Mehta, Deputy Superintendent, Archeological Survey of India, Kanotra, Joint Secretary with His Holiness, Tenzin Teklha, sectoral officers and prominent citizens of Akhnoor were present in the meeting.
Meanwhile United Hotels and Restaurants Association Jammu has heartily welcomed the visit of Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama to the ancient Buddhist site of Ambaran in Akhnoor and Jammu Kala Kendar, today, November 16, where he will inaugurate Photo exhibition of Buddhist monuments and sites.
Travel Association offering 20% discount on the visit of Dalai Lama.
In a statement BB Kotwal, General Secetary TAJ has announced that the member units of their association are offering 20% discount to all those visiting Ambaran for the purpose on November 16 and availing of their services. Kotwal has described the visit of His Holiness Dalai Lama to ancient Buddhist site of Ambaran in Akhnoor and holding of photo exhibition of Buddhist heritage in Jammu as harbinger of promoting pilgrimage and heritage tourism in Jammu. With promotion of tourism and pilgrimage in the region and the State as a whole, the tour and travel associations, hotels, lodges and restaurants and all other tourism and pilgrimage related trades will receive a great fillip and boost the economy of the State as a Whole.
J&K Christian Dalit Association has hailed the visit of Buddhist spiritual leader, Dalai Lama to ancient Buddhist site of Ambaran in Akhnoor and at Jammu Kala Kendar, to inaugurate the photo exhibition of Buddhist monuments and monasteries, today, November 16.
A meeting of the association held here today under the chairmanship of S Peter, Chairman of the association, it was decided that the Christian community in Jammu will accord heartiest welcome and reception to the great spiritual leader, by a large number of them visiting Ambaran and also at Kala Kendar Jammu on the day.