Lucknow: The sacred land of Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, witnessed a spectacular confluence of faith and culture as the 17th Holy ‘Buddha Dhatu Shobha Yatra’ was taken out with grandeur on Tuesday. The five-day celebration (February 20–24), organised by the Thai Monastery in Kushinagar, concluded with an impressive procession from the revered Mahaparinirvana Temple to the historic Ramabhar Stupa.
With elephants, horses and traditional bands leading the way, the sacred procession transformed the town into what many described as a “Mini Thailand.” The presence of Thailand’s Ambassador to India, senior monks, and dignitaries lent the event a distinctly international character. Hundreds of devotees from Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, Ladakh and various Himalayan regions joined thousands of local participants in the spiritually charged march. More than 200 foreign Buddhist devotees were part of the holy yatra.
The ceremony was graced by chief guest Maharaj Yatindra Mohan Pratap Mishra and Thai Ambassador Chavanath Thanasoon Phan. Thai monks offered Buddha Vandana amid solemn chants and rituals. Special prayers were conducted under the guidance of revered Thai Buddhist guru Phra Tha Thep Bodhiyong and chief monk of the Thai temple, Phrawidescheriyan (Dr. P. Sompong).
The beautifully decorated palanquin carrying the sacred relics, accompanied by rhythmic beats of traditional instruments, created a divine ambience throughout the town. Students from local schools and enthusiastic residents participated in large numbers, giving the procession a vibrant and inclusive character.
Cultural Bridge Between India and Thailand
Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said that events like the Buddha Relic Procession act as a cultural bridge between India and Thailand. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for promoting religious tourism and strengthening international goodwill.
“Such spiritual and cultural events deepen the bonds of friendship between India and Thailand while giving a new direction to religious tourism in the state,” he said. “These celebrations further reinforce mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.”
Thai Cultural Performance Mesmerises Audience
Adding to the festive spirit, nearly 50 artists from Thailand performed the traditional ‘Som Potha Phra Dhat’ dance. Dressed in ornate traditional attire, the performers captivated the audience with graceful expressions and synchronised movements. The cultural presentation highlighted the deep-rooted spiritual and artistic connections shared by the two Buddhist-majority communities.
The event symbolised international spiritual unity, with monks and devotees from multiple countries participating in collective prayers and rituals.
Five Days of Spiritual and Cultural Activities
The five-day festival featured a series of competitions and creative programmes based on the teachings and message of compassion of Lord Buddha. Singing competitions, painting and colouring contests, chanting sessions, alms-giving ceremonies and free medical camps were organised. Winners of various competitions were felicitated before the conclusion of the procession.
Record Tourist Footfall in UP’s Buddhist Circuit
Minister Jaiveer Singh noted that the timeless message of peace, compassion and global harmony propagated by Lord Buddha continues to attract pilgrims and tourists from across the world to Uttar Pradesh. He highlighted that in 2025, the state’s Buddhist Circuit recorded over 4.42 lakh foreign tourist arrivals across six major sites — Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Sankisa, Shravasti, Kapilavastu and Sarnath.
“The growing influx of international visitors reflects the global appeal of Uttar Pradesh’s sacred Buddhist sites,” he said, inviting devotees worldwide to begin their ‘Bodhi Yatra’ from the spiritually rich soil of the state.
As the sacred procession concluded at Ramabhar Stupa with rituals and collective prayers, Kushinagar stood illuminated not just by ceremonial splendour but by a renewed spirit of Indo-Thai friendship. The 17th Buddha Dhatu Shobha Yatra has once again underscored the role of cultural diplomacy and spiritual heritage in strengthening global ties while boosting inbound tourism in Uttar Pradesh.
