Buddha Jayanti marked in Taxila, Pakistan, with focus on heritage and tourism

Taxila, May 1: Buddha Jayanti was marked in Pakistan’s historic city of Taxila on Friday with a series of cultural and spiritual events highlighting the country’s Buddhist heritage and its tourism potential.

The event was jointly marked by diplomatic missions from Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Vietnam in collaboration with Pakistani authorities.

The programme, organized in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, Pakistan, took place at the Dharmarajika Stupa and the Taxila Museum, drawing diplomats, government officials and cultural figures.

A key session at the Taxila Museum focused on “Leveraging Shared Buddhist Heritage for Sustainable Tourism,” where speakers underlined the importance of preserving and promoting ancient Buddhist sites across the region.

Nepal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Rita Dhital, said Buddhist heritage sites serve as major pilgrimage destinations for more than 500 million people worldwide and hold strong potential for spiritual, cultural and educational tourism.

She stressed the need for improved infrastructure and regional connectivity to link Buddhist sites, noting that such efforts could support local economies while encouraging deeper engagement with Buddhist philosophy.

A video presentation on Lumbini, prepared by the Lumbini Development Trust, was also screened, showcasing key landmarks including the Mayadevi Temple, monastic zones and the Flame of Peace.

The event featured symbolic activities such as the ringing of a peace bell, tree planting and the release of white pigeons, representing peace and harmony.

Earlier, religious rituals including circumambulation and sermons by monks from Sri Lanka and Thailand were held at the Dharmarajika Stupa.

Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most significant centres of Buddhist civilisation in South Asia.