OdishaLIVE Bureau
Budhia Singh, the wonder boy of Odisha who runs marathons like a walk in the park is all set to feature in the union of two countries India and Nepal. He has been invited to the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon where he will act as the connecting link between Kalinga and Kapilavastu, the Birth place of Gautam Buddha. “Buddhism is a strong connection between Kalinga and Kapilavastu” observed the Chief Facilitator of the marathon Bikram Pandey Kaji.
The Lumbini to Mount Everest Buddha Peace Torch March Run 2017 will be following the path taken by Gautam Buddha’s mother after giving birth also known as the Maya Devi Maternity Route. The route covers the entire ancient Kapilavastu kingdom. Budhia will be accompanied by Dr. Anita Sabat, Director, Utkalamrita.
The marathon features a running team comprised of Budhia, Baikuntha Manandhar, Nepal’s National Runner & Olympian, Limca Book of Records holder & Marathon Man of Sikkim Amar Subba and Lumbini Bhairahawa-resident sports-girl, Saha Banu Khan.
The Marathon Runners team will illuminate the Peace Torch at the Eternal Buddha Peace Flame Site at Maya Devi Garden, Lumbini where spiritual Monks, dignitaries and members of International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Government of India, Cultural Ministry & former Director of Nalanda University, Dr. Ravindra Panth will bless the Peace Torch.
Budhia will run around Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini, sharing the message of peace from Buddha’s birth place, then carry on to Kudan (Nigrodharma), the place where Siddhartha Gautama stayed after returning home as Enlightened Buddha. He will further cover Ashokan Pillar at Gotihawa, the birth and Nirvana place of Krakuchanda Muni Buddha.
Then, Budhia will continue to ancient Kapilvastu, a UNESCO World heritage site, and then Tilaurakot Palace structure site. Budhia will then go to adjoining Buddha Ganga River (also known as Ban Ganga) where he will take spiritual Snan (holy dip) to spiritualize himself.
Budhia’s run linking Ashoka, Kalinga, and Ashokan Pillars, will connect Kalinga with Kapilvastu
Thus, connecting the revered land of 3 Buddhas- Krakuchanda Muni, Kanakmuni and Shakya Muni Buddha, through the holy Maya Devi Maternity Route.
“A highly nurtured friendship between India and Nepal is being observed here, following Path of Ashoka and his Buddhist way of Life”, says Bikram Pandey KAJI the facilitator of the marathon.
