Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Monday, 22 May 2017 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Blue Mountain’s ethereal lanterns brightened up UN Vesak Day celebrations which were celebrated in Sri Lanka this year with the participation of Buddhist leaders from around the world. The three-day celebration began on 12 May in Colombo and consisted of an International Buddhist Symposium with the participation of over 400 delegates from 100 countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the UN Vesak Day celebrations.
Blue Mountain was an integral part of the landmark UN Vesak Day celebrations by placing over 600 lanterns on either sides of Japan Friendship Road and Denzil Kobbakaduwa Mawatha, since the roads led to the venue of the UN Vesak Day celebrations. The six feet tall lanterns in the shapes of lotus flowers and stupas (daagaba) were placed at every six metres, illuminating a distance of over 6 km to light up the streets and spread the joy of Vesak which was witnessed by all the dignitaries.