Thousands of followers gather at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur on 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Din

The 70th anniversary of Dhammachakra Pravartan Din was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur on Wednesday. The day was observed in memory of the historic event in which Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar showed the deprived sections of society the path of equality, self-respect and enlightenment, leading them out of the darkness of ignorance.

Thousands of Buddhist followers reached Deekshabhoomi and paid homage to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Gautama Buddha. Crowds began gathering from the morning. Across hundreds of Buddha Viharas in the city, programmes of collective Buddha Vandana, worship, lectures on enlightenment, Buddha-Bhim songs and food distribution were held.

Men and women devotees dressed in white stood in queues to pay their respects to the urn containing the relics of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Buddha. Buddha Vandana was held at the main stupa in the presence of the Bhikkhu Sangha. Soldiers of the Samta Sainik Dal then saluted the Buddha and Babasaheb. The entire premises echoed with the chant "Buddham Sharanam Gacchami, Dhammam Sharanam Gacchami". The paying of respects continued till late at night.

Social organisations took out Dhamma rallies from various neighbourhoods of Nagpur and paid their respects on reaching Deekshabhoomi. Tributes were also paid by garlanding the statue of Babasaheb at Samvidhan Chowk. In view of the crowd, the police administration and the Samta Sainik Dal took charge of security and arrangements.

The main Dhamma Deeksha ceremony is to be held on October 20 on the occasion of Ashoka Vijayadashami, and stalls selling Buddhist literature have been set up on the Deekshabhoomi premises. Followers crowded the stalls of statues of the Buddha and Babasaheb, books and organisations offering guidance to students through the day. Many families who came to pay their respects sat among the greenery of the premises and shared meals.

Buddha-Bhim songs kept the atmosphere upbeat. Followers also came together in different parts of the city to mark Dhammachakra Pravartan Din. Lakhs of followers from across the country and abroad reached Deekshabhoomi and paid their respects. The administration had made all preparations in view of the large turnout, and a strict police deployment was in place to prevent untoward incidents.