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.