The Maha Bodhi Society of India commemorated the 162nd birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala at the Buddha Vihara in New Delhi on 17 September 2026, with Ms. Nirosha Herath, Minister Counsellor at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, as Chief Guest.
The commemoration honoured the life and legacy of Anagarika Dharmapala, a pioneering figure in the modern Buddhist revival and the founder of the Maha Bodhi Society of India in 1891.
In her remarks, Minister Counsellor Herath highlighted the deep civilizational and spiritual bonds between Sri Lanka and India, strengthened over centuries through their shared Buddhist heritage. She recalled Anagarika Dharmapala’s important contribution to drawing renewed attention to the sacred Buddhist sites of India, particularly Bodh Gaya, and to their preservation as places of pilgrimage for Buddhists from Sri Lanka, India and around the world.
She noted that his enduring legacy is reflected not only in the preservation and appreciation of India’s Buddhist heritage, but also in the living people-to-people and spiritual connections that continue to link Sri Lanka and India.
The event brought together members of the Maha Sangha, the Sri Lankan community, students and well-wishers to remember Anagarika Dharmapala and his contribution to the shared Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka and India.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
New Delhi
19 September 2026