Hyderabad is all set to welcome international guests as part of the Miss World 2024 event. The state government has completed preparations at Buddhavanam, a Buddhist heritage site near Nagarjuna Sagar in Nalgonda district, to host participants from around 30 countries.
The contestants will begin their journey from Hyderabad on Monday. Their first stop will be a guest house near Chintapalli, where they will take a short break. From there, they will head to Vijay Vihar for a photo session before reaching Buddhavanam.
As the contestants arrive at Buddhavanam, a group of 24 Lambada dancers will greet them with a traditional dance performance. They will then be welcomed at the Maha Stupa, an important Buddhist monument, where another photo session will take place.
Inside the Maha Stupa, officials from the Archaeological Department will share the history and significance of the site. The contestants will also take part in a short meditation session at the stupa.
Following the meditation, around 25 Buddhist monks will conduct the Bailikuppa Maha Bodhi Puja, a sacred Buddhist ritual. After the ceremony, the group will explore the Jataka Van, a garden that depicts stories from the Jataka tales, which recount the previous lives of the Buddha.
Dr. Shivanagi Reddy, an expert in archaeology and tourism, will guide the visitors through the heritage site, explaining its cultural and historical value.
Later, the contestants will enjoy a special performance by 18 artists, who will present a show based on the life of the Buddha. The event will conclude with dinner, after which the visitors will return to Hyderabad.
The visit aims to showcase Telangana’s rich Buddhist heritage to a global audience and promote Buddhavanam as a cultural tourism destination.
