Sunday Times 2
Indian Cultural Centre presents lecture on The Buddha’s journey to Lanka
View(s):The Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo will present a lecture with power point presentation by Kanchana Mukhopadhyay on “Gautama Buddha’s journey from Moghalmari to Sri Lanka” on January 13 at 6 p.m. at its auditorium at the Indian Cultural Centre, 16/2 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7.
Kanchana Mukhopadhyay started her career as lecturer in History in a college in Kolkata and worked in different archives in France and England as research scholar. She is the founder of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) Conservation Centre in Kolkata and the co-convener of Calcutta chapter of INTACH.
She is also the former president of Alliance Française of Bengal. Kanchana received the prestigious insignia of “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) from the cultural ministry of the Government of France.
The newly excavated site of Moghalmari in the West Midnapur district of West Bengal reinforces the account of famous Chinese pilgrim Huen-Tsang that in Tamralipti region existed in at least ten monasteries and 1,000 monks lived here.
Though the name suggests the defeat of Mogol soldiers, the excavation unearthed the ruins of a much more ancient monastery named Vandak Mahabihar, perhaps a Vajrajana Buddhist seat of learning which dates back to 6th century. Further excavation will bring to light the true story of this place.
The event is open to all.