• UGI USER
  • Sep 04, 2024
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PRESIDENT MURMU INAUGURATES VISHWASHANTI BUDDHA VIHARA IN MAHARASHTRA

Why in the news?

President Droupadi Murmu is inaugurating Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Maharashtra’s Latur district today, marking a key event during her three-day visit to the state.

source:slideshare

Highlights of the Inauguration of Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara:

  • President Droupadi Murmu is set to inaugurate the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, located in the Latur district of Maharashtra, on September 4th.
  • The event will be attended by Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
About Buddha Vihara:

  • Vihara Definition: A Buddhist monastery, originally meaning “a secluded place to walk,” used by monks during the rainy season.
  • Chaitya: A Buddhist shrine or prayer hall with a Stupa, often called a Chaitya-Griha in Indian architecture.
  • Early Viharas: Constructed with wood and sun-dried bricks before the 3rd century BCE.

Architecture:

  • Cell Layout: Monks lived in cells around a central worship hall.
  • Entrance and Verandah: Featured a pillared verandah and doorway leading to a square or rectangular hall.
  • Stone Beds: Cells contained stone beds carved from rock.
  • Hinayanist Viharas: Found in Western Ghats; decorated facades and sculptural panels.
  • Mahayanist Viharas: Sometimes served as Chaitya-Griha-cum-Vihara with Buddha images.