ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Task Force on Gandhara Tourism on Friday celebrated religious teacher Buddha’s birth anniversary to pay tributes to him and enlighten his life’s legacy. The day is known as Buddha Purnima.

The event, held at the Islamabad Museum, was attended by officials, art lovers and other dignitaries, according to a press release.

Visualising the immense potential of tourism around the Gandhara civilisation, the force is making all-out efforts to promote Gandhara tourism in the country, under the chairmanship of Minister of State Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani.

Pakistan is home to a multitude of heritage sites, monuments and historic buildings which demonstrate the diverse layers of the history of this region.

The rich Gandhara heritage of Pakistan is an iconic phenomenon in the entire world as Gandhara art is a great and major attraction for Buddhists from all over the world.

Gandhara, which is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has emerged as a centre of Buddhist learning, art, culture and plays a significant role in the history of Buddhism.

Buddhism’s teachings have transcended borders and cultures, promoting compassion, mindfulness, and inner peace.

Under King Ashoka’s patronage, Gandhara became a hub of monasteries, stupas, and educational institutions, attracting scholars and artists. The unique Gandharan art style blended diverse cultural influences, conveying the essence of Buddhism to people of various backgrounds.

Archaeological sites such as Takht-i-Bai and Taxila are showcasing remarkable Buddhist artefacts, representing the region’s rich legacy. Furthermore, Gandhara was a centre of intellectual discourse with scholars engaging in profound debates and contributing to the expansion of Buddhist philosophy.

It is worth mentioning here that the force had already directed relevant departments to compile a report on provincial rich heritage sites of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, particularly in KP to promote tourism in the country.

Published in Dawn, May 27TH, 2023