Dhamma Jyothi Yatra to be held in Kalaburagi on October 14

The Rahul Yuvaka Sangha will organise a grand ‘Dhamma Jyothi Yatra–2026’ in Kalaburagi on Wednesday (October 14) to mark the 70th anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi city on Monday, sangha members Suryakant Nimbalkar and Lakshmikant Hubballi said the procession would begin at the Dr. Ambedkar statue at Jagat Circle and then proceed to Karuna Buddha Vihara in Basava Nagar in the city. A statue of the Buddha and Dhamma scriptures would be carried in the procession. He appealed to residents of all localities in the city, along with Buddhist followers, to participate in large numbers.

On October 14, 1956, Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with lakhs of followers in Nagpur, administering 22 vows that charted a new course for their lives. The historic event marked a significant milestone in the social transformation of the country, Mr. Nimbalkar added.

Mr. Hubballi said that Dr. Ambedkar’s decision to embrace Buddhism had inspired many people to pursue education and build lives based on equality and self-respect. His ideas continued to guide people towards independent thought and humanist values, helping them break free from religious subjugation and social oppression, he added.

This year’s procession would feature elephants and horses carrying the Buddha’s statue and Dhamma scriptures. The organisers would also pay tribute to Buddhist literature, including the Tripitaka (the earliest surviving collection of canonical Buddhist scriptures). In the presence of Buddhist monks, the followers would participate in white attire, holding Dhamma Jyothis and raising slogans in support of the Dhamma.

The event would be held in the presence of Bhikkhu Dhammathissa Bhante of Ashok Arama Buddha Vihara in Hanur.

Kalaburagi City Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa would inaugurate the procession, while Additional Superintendent of Police Mahesh Meghannavar would attend as a guest.