PESHAWAR: A delegation of the Buddhists monks and foreign ambassadors on Thursday visited the UNESCO world heritage site of Takht Bhai, Mardan and colonial era Peshawar Museum.
The 31-member delegation was highly impressed by the history, artifacts and ancient sites of both historical places.
The group including foreign diplomats and ambassadors besides Bhuddism followers took keen interest in ancient Buddhists Monestary, antiquities, artefacts, and Ghandhara art in Takht Bhai.
The delegation members hailed from Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Myanmar, Cambodia and Nepal.
Abdul Samad Khan, Director of Archaeology and Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa briefed the delegation about the historical importance of world heritage site of Takht Bhai and nearby Seri Bahlool, which were attracting foreign tourists in large number.
They also went around the old Buddhist Monastery where they were highly impressed by its historical importance and conservation work.
The tourists showed keen interest in the monastic complexes of Takht Bhai that are beautifully positioned on different hilltops with a covered area of nearly 33 hectares.
The delegation was informed that the monastery in Takht Bhai was in continuous use till seventh century that is composed of an assemblage of buildings built of stone on Gandhara patterns in diaper style.
Gandhara Art Museum in Peshawar
Later, the delegation also visited Peshawar Museum, the lone museum of Ghandhara Art in the world.
Abdul Samad informed the delegation that there more than 40,000 rare artifacts and antiquities as well as complete life story of Lord Bhuddha were kept preserved in the museum.
