Buddha Mahotsava kicks off in Arunachal with vibrant cultural display

Bomdila (Arunachal Pradesh), Nov. 5 (ANI): Buddha Mahotsava celebration in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh began with vibrant cultural display from Monpa, Sajolang(Miji) Aka, Sartang, Bugun and Sherdukpen tribes of the region here at Buddha Park, Bomdila. The unique cultural display from each tribe mesmerized the crowd and filled the air with joy. Organised by the District Administration of West Kameng, Buddha Mahotsava is a three-day Buddhist festival (November 4-6) held in Bomdila, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh to promote tourism in the state. The festival commemorates the life and teachings of Lord Gautama Buddha. Hundreds of Buddhist monks playing cymbals and drums are present at the festival. Dancers in traditional attire take the centre stage amidst chanting and drum beating and demonstrated various facets of Arunachal Pradesh's dance and music. The festival brings out the Buddhist influence on the life of the people in Arunachal Pradesh. Renowned Bhojpuri actor/singer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP from North-East Delhi Manoj Tiwari who graced the event as chief guest of opening ceremony declared the three-day cultural festival open in the presence of Education Minister Honchun Ngandam, State Legislative Speaker T. N. Thongdok and MLAs Japu Deru, Phurpa Tsering and Kumsi Sidisow and thousands of people including tourists. While exhorting the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh particularly Bomdila, Tiwari unveiled the zeal of shooting some of his next films in the district. "I will shoot a movie in Bomdila and show it to the people of entire country," he said. Responding to the Education Minister Honchum Ngandam's appeal to the Central Government to discontinue the existing detention education policy under CEC, the Bojpuri actor assured that the Centre will extend all kind of help to the state government without a second thought. Saluting the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the country in 1962 Indo-China war, Tiwari sang a few lines of the popular song of film 'Haqqiqat' sang by Lata Mangeshkar 'Ae Mere Watan Ke logo' which left the people especially security personnel bit emotional. He also sang few bollywood numbers before leaving the ground. Terming the inaugural day of the festival as 'historic', local MLA Japu Deru said that the objectives of the festival is to preserve, promote and protect the unique cultural diversity and rich traditions and to promote brotherhood among the six tribes of West Kameng district. The first day of the fest was filled with thousands of spectators at Buddha Stadium to witness the spectacular dances performed by the various cultural troupes of six tribes of West Kameng and other parts of the state. The main attraction of the festival was the colorful mask dance by monks of the monastery wearing their best robes with different gestures of hand and legs signifies good prevailing over evils enthralled the spectators. Besides the cultural performances, other attractions of the first day of the festival were various adventure and traditional sports activities, food festival and many more. (ANI)