Bihar's Tableau Captivates Audiences at Republic Day Celebration on Kartavya Path

On the occasion of Republic Day 2025o, as Bihar’s tableau made its way along Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk, it was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the spectators. As the tableau reached the main stage, an announcement was made, declaring:
“This is the tableau of Bihar. It celebrates the state's rich legacy of knowledge and peace. Bihar has been a land of knowledge since ancient times. The tableau showcases Lord Buddha in a meditative Dharmachakra Mudra, alongside the sacred Bodhi tree, as well as the ruins of Nalanda University. With the inauguration of the new International Nalanda University by the Honorable Prime Minister, Bihar is re-establishing itself as a global center of knowledge.”
Following the announcement, the entire audience along the path rose to their feet to honor the tableau, which highlighted Bihar's cultural and intellectual heritage. Spectators were seen capturing images of the tableau with their mobile phones, and foreign guests present at the event were also seen taking photographs.
The Bodhi tree displayed in the tableau symbolized the message that it was from this land that the light of knowledge spread across the world.
The tableau presented Bihar’s rich tradition of knowledge and peace, with a striking depiction of Lord Buddha, a symbol of serenity. The extraordinary 70-foot statue of Buddha, made from a single stone, is located at the Horse Lake (Ghoda Kotora) in Rajgir, a popular site for millions of tourists. Installed in 2018, the statue and the development of the surrounding Ghoda Kotora Lake are part of Bihar's efforts in eco-tourism.
The tableau also depicted the ruins of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara (university), which served as a reminder that students from distant lands, including China, Japan, and Central Asia, once came to Bihar to seek knowledge. The ruins of Nalanda University stand as symbols of India's ancient knowledge traditions. The preservation and promotion of these ruins are essential for safeguarding India’s cultural heritage. Thanks to ongoing efforts by the Bihar government, the ancient glory of Nalanda is being restored.
Additionally, Bihar’s ancient and prosperous heritage was also illustrated through murals on the tableau. In line with the vision of re-establishing ancient Nalanda as a center of learning, the new International Nalanda University was inaugurated in Rajgir. The inauguration took place on June 19, 2024, in the presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of Bihar and the Honorable Prime Minister of India.