NEW DELHI: Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Information Technology, Science and Technology, ARI and Trainings, Satish Sharma, today inaugurated a 40-day-long photo exhibition on Ambaran “The historical Buddhist Citadel” at Ajanta Hall of National Museum in New Delhi.
The exhibition was jointly organised by the National Museum of India and the Centre for Himalayan Asian Studies and Engagement (CHASE), New Delhi. The photographs have been taken by veteran photographer Vijay Kranti and his son Akshat Kranti.
While speaking on the occasion, the Minister remembered the efforts of his father, late Madan Lal Sharma, who was also a Member of Parliament, in preserving his historic site, which has religious significance to Buddhists.
Satish Sharma said that the photographers of this exhibition acknowledge the years of dedicated efforts of former MP late Madan Lal Sharma and his efforts at putting Ambaran and Akhnoor on the national map of Buddhist tourism.
The Minister said that the site is known for its terracotta figures that included Buddha heads of various sizes and ornately dressed male and female statues, with clearly seen influences of the Graeco-Buddhist and Gandhara schools of art.
The Minister, while sharing the message of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, asserted that the government has placed special emphasis on promoting the rich cultural heritage of J&K and its tourism.
Satish Sharma said that Akhnoor is blessed with five extraordinary cultural historical natural and technological specialities which are the Buddhist Monastic site of Ambaran, the Akhnoor fort, the Jia Pota Ghat, Chenab river and peaceful facet at Akhnoor. It is government ‘s commitment to promote and place Akhnoor on the tourist map of India, he added.
Satish Sharma also informed that similar kind of photo exhibitions will also be held in Jammu and Srinagar after the conclusion of this exhibition.
The Minister concluded that this exhibition is a photographic tribute to the archaeologists of India and the people of Akhnoor.
Pertinent to mention that, Ambaran is one of the latest historical findings of Archeological Survey of India and the oldest Buddhist site found so far in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh which is situated at the bank of chenab river. The highest spritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism,14th Dalai Lama had visited this ancient site in November 2012.
