17th Karmapa to preside over Kagyu religious festival in Gaya

Gaya, Nov 8 (UNI) Trinley Thai Dorje, 17th Karmapa of the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism, arrived here today to preside over the week-long famous Kagyu religious festival here from November ten.

A large number of Budddhists from around the world had already started converging here to take part in the festival, aimed at restoring world peace amid threats of increasing extremist activities.

The festival, to be concluded on November 16, was being held near the site here, where Lord Buddha had attained Nirvana (Salvation) several thousand years ago.

Meanwhile, the district administration has made eleaborate security arrangements in and around Gaya and the holy township of adjoining Bodhgaya to prevent any untoward incident during the festival.

Special steps have also been taken to ensure foolproof security to the foreign guests, official sources today said.

UNI