BUDDHA JAYANTI PARK

Buddha Jayanti Park also known as the ‘Mahavir Jayanti Park’ and renamed as ‘Buddha Jayanti Smarak Park’ is situated on Ridge Road towards the southern end of Delhi Ridge which lies close to Dhaula Kuan in New Delhi or alternatively from Sardar Patel Marg (Road) which lies just opposite Assam House and it is easily reachable by local transport and from Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. The Park was established on the 2,500th Anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha when he attained ‘Moksha’ and ‘Nirvana’ or ‘Self Realisation’.

he Buddha Jayanti Park spreads over a massive area of land and is seen planted with shady, thick and mammoth size green trees, Flower beds, shrubs and well trimmed lawns covering large expanse of undulating terrain and slopes stretched beside paved pathways that creates a natural effect to the environment. The artificial water ponds also add a serene charm to the ambience of this Park.

Buddha Jayanti Park is seen with a Large Statue of Lord Buddha in a sitting posture covered in Gold Coloured paint erected on a flat raised Platform supported by pavilions on all directions. The platform and Statue were established on October 1993 over an artificial Island created within the premises of this park as a respect and tribute to H. H. Dalai Lama the 14th. A sapling was planted in this park which was taken from the Holy Bodh Tree in Sri Lanka. It was during the 3rd Century when Princess Sanghamitra who was King Asoka’s daughter took a sapling from the ancient original Bodh Tree situated in Bihar believed to be the tree under which Lord Buddha Spent days during his meditation period up till he attained Nirvana or Enlightenment and hence is considered very Holy and Sacred to all and carried it to Sri Lanka where she planted, nurtured and attended to it with love and care up till it grew very tall, thick and green. It was also known that she used to preach Buddhism under this very tree which exists even today.

The Buddha Jayanti Park is seen crowded with mostly with Youngsters, early morning joggers and Yoga enthusiast; however, most Families along with Friends are seen here, especially during weekends, where they spend fun time playing outdoor games after a good picnic lunch with each other. Young couples mostly visit this park during weekdays as it generally remains quiet and free of the usual family crowd and hence gives them a quiet time and ample space to spend private time with each other.

The Buddha Jayanti Park also forms a great venue for celebrating the Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti and Buddha Poornima Festivals which are held during the month of May every year with great success despite the not so normal difficult situations created by a few mobs. Buddhist organisations also organises various events and lectures within the premises of this park on certain occasions and all programme details are available with the local authorities of this Park. The Park remains opened to all public between 0500 hours and 1900 hours on all days with no entry charges.