The Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums has made all out necessary arrangements to celebrate the third "Gandhara Week" starting from March 26 stirring up the activities of the Destination Pakistan 2007 programme. This was stated by Deputy Director department of archaeology Sarwat Baig while talking to newsmen here on Saturday.
He added that Archaeology department would make all out efforts to facilitate the tourists coming to Taxila valley in connection with the 3rd Gandhara week from March 26-31. The sound and light show portraying the ancient Buddhist culture would also be held during the week celebrations. He said that to make this event memorable, the department had evolved a comprehensive strategy.
As part of the three months plan, not only the tourists facilities at Taxila museum and different Buddhist sites would be improved, but proper restoration and preservation of the most favourite archaeological sites would also be carried out under the multimillion rupees Taxila to Swat project.
Responding a question, he said that the week celebrations would be organised by Tourism Ministry, however, the department of Archaeology would join hands with them to provide its all sites and museum to made this event memorable.
He said that this year theme is "Historical review of the world's Ancient "Buddhist Civilisation" In which a number of events like visit to museum, different sites especially Sir Kap, the Greek city dated back to 200BC to 200AD and Julian Monastery and Stupa commonly known as ancient Taxila University dated back to 2nd to 5th Century AD would be organised to familiarise the participants with the rich cultural heritage of Taxila on March 27.
He said that Julian and Sir Kap remains, inscribed upon the world heritage list have great attraction for the visitors, particularly from Buddhist countries. To a question, he said that this event was established for the third consecutive year, which would enable us to highlight country's rich cultural heritage across the world and Pakistan has decided to observe the Gandhara week on annual basis.
He added that the observance of this week would also serve to create awareness among our people about the importance and the value of the enriched Gandhara heritage. He said that "we expects 128 participants including monks, media representatives, tour operators, travel agents, travel writers, scholars, from different countries besides from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Italy and some other countries.
He added that the observance of this week would also serve to create awareness among our people about importance and the value of this heritage as domestic tourists including the students from universities, colleges and schools will also participate in the programmes of the Gandhara week and will visit various places.
He said that in the second leg of the third Gandhara week celebrations at Taxila a light and sound show would be held here on March 29 at Dharmarajika stupa and monastery.
While giving the significance of the site, he said that Dharamarajika Stupa - is the oldest Buddhist monument in Taxila. It is situated 2 miles from Taxila museum. It comprises mainly of buildings, a monastery area where the monk lived and a series of small chapels. Wealth of gold, silver coins, gems, jewellery and other antiques were discovered here. This great structure lies on a lofty plateau, about two miles to the east of the museum, amidst a large number of smaller stupas, chapels and monasteries and it belongs to the period 1st-5th century A.D.
The main structure is built on a circular platform with Kanjure stone decorations and niches in bold design, well preserved on the eastern face. To the north of the main building is the monastery area, the original construction dating from the 1st century B.C.
He said that foolproof security arrangements would be made on the occasion. He said that the event was also an opportunity to project a positive image of the country abroad.
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