Srinagar, October 18 (IANS). Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid obeisance at the Buddhist monastery of Elista in Kalmykia, Russia on Saturday. It is also known as Geden Shedup Choekorling Monastery. “I bowed before the holy relics of Lord Buddha brought from India and enshrined in the main Buddhist monastery of Elista, known as Geden Shedup Choekorling Monastery. I pray to Lord Buddha to bless us all and strengthen the spiritual bond between people,” the lieutenant governor’s office said in a post on social media platform ‘X’. Manoj Sinha is on a week-long visit to Kalmykia, Russia. The lieutenant governor is leading a delegation tasked with bringing back the holy relics of Lord Buddha after a week-long exhibition. Lieutenant Governor Sinha expressed gratitude for this opportunity and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with this responsibility. Upon his arrival in Kalmykia’s capital, Elista, Lieutenant Governor Sinha said he was looking forward to paying respects to the holy relics and speaking with the Head of the Republic of Kalmykia and the Head of the Buddhists of Kalmykia, Batu Sergeyevich Khasikov, as well as the Shajin Lama, venerable monks. Kashmir is known for its Buddhist historical sites, including the Harwan Buddhist site, where the Fourth Buddhist Conference was held. Kashmir has many important Buddhist sites, including ancient ruins such as Harwan and Ushkur, which were centers of learning and important for the spread of Buddhism, and historic monasteries such as Alchi Monastery and Shankaracharya Temple, which have historical connections with Buddhism. Other sites include the Ambaran Buddhist ruins and the ancient Parihaspur Monastery near Akhnoor. Haravan in Srinagar is an ancient site where the Fourth Buddhist Council was held during the Kushan period and a monastery existed. Ambaran near Akhnoor in Jammu is another archaeological site, which houses a monastic complex that gives an insight into Buddhist cultural development from the 18th century to the 19th century. Located on the outskirts of Srinagar city, Parihaspur is an ancient site that housed a large monastery built by King Lalitaditya of Kashmir, famous for a large statue of Buddha. Alchi Monastery, located on the banks of the Indus River, is known for its ancient murals and sculptures, which have a mix of Buddhist and Hindu influences. –IANS VKU/AS
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir visited the Buddhist monastery in Kalmykia, Russia
