

The event 'Chalo Buddh Ki Aur' is being organized by Buddha Diksha Mahotsav Samiti, which claims it to be the biggest ever in the state wherein people will take Diksha to embrace the path of Buddha.

"This would be first single event where around 1 lakh people would embrace Buddhism ," convener of the event Deven Vanvi said.

He said people from 19 districts and 51 talukas of the state will come to Junagadh on the occasion. "Over 30,000 families have completed the process of conversion by filling out forms and submitting them to respective local district administrations," Vanvi said.

"The reason behind conversion of dalits to Buddhism is the caste hierarchy that has existed for centuries. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar showed us a different path, where there is no discrimination between human beings," one of the organizers Parikshit Rathod said.

Organizers claim that preacher Jaydev Bapa , a revered religious head among dalits in Gujarat, will also embrace Buddhism along with his followers at the venue.

"We have selected Junagadh for the event as it is an important city from historical perspective. There are several historical monuments of Emperor Ashoka here who had also adopted Buddhism," an organizer said.