Kathmandu January 19.

A ‘Dhhama Deshana’ or Buddhist education preaching began here on Saturday with the objective of raising funds for the Buddha Sarowar or park in Birendranagar. The site will also have for the first time a 108 feet tall statue of Gautam Buddha in the country. Initiating the event, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Nanda Singh Budha said the development of the Buddha sarowar witll help promote tourism in the area. He also requested the concerned sides to come with a detailed project report and pledged to support through special and supplementary grant of the State government. Whip of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal at the State Assembly, Sita Nepali said it was matter of pride to have the Buddha sarowar in the heart of Birendranagar. Dharma Guru Prem Dorje Lama urged the District Police Office to store the statue of Buddha with respect. The ‘Dhamma Desana’ to run until January 23 is expected to help raise around 5 million rupees. The total cost of the project is between 90 to 120 million rupees, according to the project management committee chair Pancha Singh Rokaya Khampa. The sarowar will also have a 35 feet tall Buddhist flag and water fountain. At the inauguration, around 100,000 rupees was collected. On the occasion, Karnali State Assembly member Soshila Shahi donated Rs. 10,100, Gurung Social Council central member Khagendra Bahadur Gurung donated Rs. 51,000 while local resident Jhak Bahadur Sijapati Magar contributed Rs. 31,101.