In a first-of-its-kind spiritual and cultural initiative for the Indian diaspora in Myanmar, Char Dham and Bodh Gaya Darshan 2025 was inaugurated in Yangon, offering devotees a unique opportunity to experience India’s most revered pilgrimage sites at a single location. The landmark initiative reflects India’s rich spiritual heritage and strengthens cultural ties between India and Myanmar.

The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between India Samaj Myanmar, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Yangon, and the Embassy of India in Myanmar, with active participation from the Indian community living in the country. The event was jointly inaugurated by Abhay Thakur, Ambassador of India to Myanmar, along with his wife Dr Surabhi Thakur, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Myanmar Prabashini Ponnamperuma; and India Samaj Myanmar President Dr Sital Kumar Palbabu. The inauguration took place at Yangon’s India Centre in the presence of community leaders, devotees, and well wishers.

Char Dham and Bodh Gaya Darshan in Yangon 2025 features symbolic installations of five major spiritual centres of India. These include Jagannath Dham at Puri in Odisha, dedicated to Lord Jagannath and representing the eastern spiritual axis, Dwarka Dham in Gujarat, the sacred abode of Lord Krishna symbolizing the west; Rameswaram Dham in Tamil Nadu, home to Lord Shiva as Sri Ramanathaswamy representing the south; and Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand, devoted to Lord Badrinarayan or Lord Vishnu and aligned with the north. In addition, Bodh Gaya in Bihar, the sacred site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, has also been symbolically installed, representing the east and northeastern spiritual axis.

Together, these five symbolic structures offer visitors in Yangon a rare and immersive experience of India’s iconic pilgrimage circuit at one venue, making it accessible to devotees who may not be able to travel to India. The initiative aims to promote spiritual awareness, cultural understanding, and unity among the Indian diaspora and local communities.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Abhay Thakur described Char Dham Darshan as a commendable initiative and encouraged the community to reflect on ways to further strengthen such spiritual and cultural efforts in Myanmar. He highlighted the importance of preserving and sharing India’s civilizational heritage through community-driven initiatives abroad.

Char Dham Darshan in Yangon 2025 includes Deepa Prajwalana, Vedic mantra chanting, and community prayers, creating a deeply spiritual and immersive atmosphere for visitors. The installations will remain open to the public during India Centre visiting hours on December 13 and December 14, from 9:30 am to 2 pm, allowing devotees and visitors to participate in the sacred experience.

The inauguration of the symbolic installation of Puri’s Jagannath Temple along with Char Dham and Bodh Gaya Darshan in Myanmar stands as a significant cultural milestone, reinforcing India’s spiritual legacy and strengthening people-to-people connections between India and Myanmar.