Hyderabad witnessed a rare and spiritually evocative moment on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as nearly 70 Buddhist monks and nuns from Thailand and India arrived in the city as part of a 400-kilometre trans-State Buddha Dhamma Padayatra, a walking pilgrimage aimed at rekindling awareness of the Buddha’s teachings in the land of their origin.
Clad in traditional ochre robes and carrying only the barest essentials, the monks reached Kukatpally Y Junction, drawing the attention of commuters and residents alike in one of the city’s busiest corridors. The arrival was formally received by Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu and Labour, Employment, Training and Factories, Mines and Geology Minister Gaddam Vivek Venkatswamy. Senior IAS and IPS officers, public representatives, Buddhist followers and citizens gathered to welcome the procession, transforming the bustling junction into a moment of collective pause and reflection.
Buddhist Monks from Thailand, Laos,Burma,Sri Lanka going to a recent Sri Lankan Temple after Piṇḍapāta to take the alms.
May the sacred bonds of Dharma unite us ever more closely,weaving a tapestry of mutual respect, compassion,and shared wisdom among the nations☸️🇹🇭🇲🇲🇱🇦🇱🇰🇰🇭🪷 pic.twitter.com/NpDgQ6yTWd
— Ceylon Catalyst 🇱🇰 (@SethFromColombo) February 10, 2025
A Journey Rooted in Gratitude and Purpose
The Dhammayatra began on February 2 from Siddhartha Buddha Vihara in Karnataka and is progressing towards Buddhavanam, a prominent Buddhist heritage centre in Telangana. The yatra is scheduled to culminate there on March 1, followed by a formal closing ceremony on March 2.
Led by Pra Songshak Kovido, Sangha Project Director from Thailand, the yatra is organised by Gagan Malik, president of the Gagan Malik Foundation. The group comprises around 60 Thai bhikshus and nuns, along with nearly 10 Indian Buddhist practitioners, forming a diverse yet unified spiritual collective.
Describing the march as the “awakening of Buddha’s teachings in India,” organisers emphasised that the yatra is both symbolic and physically demanding. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Malik explained that the monks walk an average of six hours every day, covering long distances under varying weather conditions. Each participant carries approximately eight kilograms of personal belongings, including a bhiksha patra (alms bowl), a sleeping net and basic daily necessities.
In keeping with strict monastic discipline, the monks consume only one meal a day, usually breakfast, relying entirely on the generosity of local communities for sustenance. Despite the physical strain, the participants remain committed to observing the 227 monastic rules that govern the life of a bhikshu, even while travelling on foot.
Nine Years of Preparation, a Lifetime of Discipline
Many of the monks participating in the Dhammayatra have been undertaking such long-distance spiritual marches for nearly nine years, following an initial year of intensive spiritual and physical training. The discipline, organisers said, is meant not merely as a test of endurance but as a lived expression of mindfulness, simplicity and detachment—core principles of the Buddha’s path.
Mr. Malik noted that the yatra is also an expression of gratitude to India. “India is the land where Prince Siddhartha was born and where he attained enlightenment. Buddhism spread from here to much of Asia, shaping cultures and societies. We owe everything to this land,” several bhikshus shared during interactions, he said.
While Buddhism flourished across Southeast and East Asia, its presence within India remains comparatively limited today. The Dhammayatra, the organisers explained, is a gentle attempt to reawaken awareness of the Buddha’s teachings among Indians—not through sermons or debates, but through silent example and disciplined living.
A Living Message of Interfaith Harmony
One of the most striking aspects of the journey has been the reception the monks have received across religious and social boundaries. Organisers said that along the route, the group has been welcomed by masjids, temples, churches and Sikh institutions, which offered food, shelter and encouragement without distinction.
“This is a powerful message of interfaith harmony,” Mr. Malik observed. “At a time when divisions dominate headlines, people from all faiths are coming together to support a spiritual journey rooted in peace and compassion. This is a message not just for India, but for the world.”
Hyderabad Leg and the Road Ahead
According to the itinerary, after entering Hyderabad through BHEL and Kukatpally, the monks will stay at Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara on February 20. The procession will then continue through Uppal, Turkayamjal, Ibrahimpatnam, Yacharam, Mall, Chintapalli, Konda Mallepalli, Angadipet and Peddavura before reaching Buddhavanam.
The full route, beginning in Kalaburagi and passing through multiple districts of Telangana, spans approximately 423 kilometres. Daily halts are meticulously planned, with chanting and meditation sessions held at select locations, including Lingampally, Sadasivapet, Sangareddy, Isnapur and Chintapalli.
This Dhammayatra marks the third such initiative undertaken by the organisers, following earlier marches in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Notably, it is the first in southern India, aimed at spiritually reconnecting the region with the Buddha’s legacy.
Importantly, organisers stress that the journey does not end at Buddhavanam. Instead, it marks the beginning of sustained outreach. Meditation shivirs (camps) will be established at Nagarjunasagar and two other locations, offering structured training in Buddhist teachings, meditation practices and an experiential introduction to monastic life.
Through disciplined walking, silent reflection and compassionate engagement, the Dhammayatra seeks to remind India—and the world—of a timeless message born on this land: peace through mindfulness, and harmony through compassion.