Peace Monuments in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal & Sri Lanka (Excluding Mahatma Gandhi)

Click here for Gandhi monuments in India & Nepal.
Click here for Gandhi monuments outside India & Nepal.

Right click image to enlarge.

Third Century BCE - Shanti Stupa (aka Great Shanti Stupa), Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh (India). Originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the third century BCE. See Vishwa Shanti Stupa in New Delhi (2007).

September 11-27, 1893 - First Parliament of the World's Religions, Chicago, Illinois (USA). Concurrent with the World Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair). Attended by 4,000 delegates from all over the World. Organized by Unitarian minister Reverend Jenkin Lloyd Jones [1843-1918]. Addresses included an introducton to Hinduism by Swami Vivekananda [1863-1902] and "The Religious Mission of the Colored Race" by Fannie Barrier Williams [1855-1944], a black member of Jones's Unitarian church in Chicago. Attended by 75-year-old Frederick Douglass [c1818-1895].

July 1928 - Institute of Himalayan Studies “Urusvati” (“Light of the Morning Star”), Kullu Valley, Hall Estate, Naggar, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh (India). Founded by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich [1874-1947], creator of the Banner of Peace. Directed for the first ten years by his son, "Tibetologist" George Roerich [1902-1960] who spoke 30 languages. Now the Internatioanl Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT).

May 1951 - Somanatha Temple, Sourashtra province, Gugerat (India). On Arabian Sea 2 km from port town of Veeraval. Dedicated by Rajendra Prasad (1st president of India) who said, "...the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple will be complete on that day when not only a magnificent edifice will arise on this foundation, but the mansion of India's prosperity will be really that prosperity of which the ancient temple of Somnath was a symbol.... The Somnath temple signifies that the power of reconstruction is always greater than the power of destruction." Discussed in Smith, Patrick (2010). Also see book by Romila Thapar.

1954 - Kabar Aye Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda), Yangôn/Rangoon (Myanmar/Burma). Located about 20 minutes drive to the north of downtown. Built by U Nu [1907-1995], one of the earlier prime ministers of Myanmar not long after her independence from the British, in dedication to the Sixth Buddhist Council (1954-56). This 111-feet-high pagoda measures 34 meters around the base.

February 21, 1963 - Shaheed Minar, Dhaka (Bangladesh). Commemorates those killed during the Language Movement demonstrations of February 21, 1952. Rebuilt several times. Replicas in London and Manchester (England).

About 1965 - Open Hand Monument, in "The Ditch of Consideration," Chandigahr, Punjab (India). Heavy copper hand 100 feet high rotates in the wind. Also looks like dove of peace. By French architect Le Corbusier [1887-1965] who said, "This sign of the Open Hand is a sign of peace and of reconciliation. [It] is meant to receive the created riches, and to distribute them to the peoples of the world. That should be the symbol of our epoch." Corbu made the overall plan for Chandigahr and designed some of the original buildings. Click here for air view.

1969 - Vishwa Shanti Stupa / World Peace Pagoda, Rajgir, Bihar (India). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. "Pandit Jawaharlala Nehru [1889-1964] laid the foundation stone of first Shanti Stupa in Bihar state at Rajgiri [sic]." Built in marble on a 400 meter hill reached by an aerial ropeway. The four shining statues of Buddha are on the four sides of the stupa. Rajgir also has a so-called "Japanese temple.

November 8, 1972 - Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa / Monument of Peace, near Bhubaneswar, Orissa (India). "Sri Nitya Nanda Kanungo, Governor of Bihar, decided to establish second Shanti Stupa at Dhauligiri in Orissa State. He formed Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangh and became the chairman. Fujii Gurujii along with his young disciples helped in building the Stupa. Nipponzan Myohoji happily beard [sic] the entire cost considering it as a offering to Lord Buddha."

1978 - Peace Pagoda, Sri Pada (Sri Lanka). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Sri Pada means "Lord Buddha's sacred footprint" and is the name of "Buddhism's most sacred mountain" (right image).

1981 - World Peace Bell, World Peace Bell Park, Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh (India). "This is a large metallic Bell gifted to India by Japan in 1981 to be erected in the sacred Buddhist city of Shravasti." Not related to the World Peace Bell Association of Tokyo (Japan).

Date? - Bell of Peace, Indosan Nipponji / Japanese Temple, BodhGaya, Gaya District, Bihar, (India). Not related to the World Peace Bell Association of Tokyo (Japan).

Date? - World Peace Pond, Swayambhunath Temple, Kathmandu (Nepal). Wall of the pond bears the prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth." Note globe on a lotus in the pond. Tourists call this the "money temple" because of its many free ranging monkeys.

1985 - Shanti Stupa, on hilltop in Cahngspa village, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (India). Opened by the Dalai Lama. Has bird's eye view of Leh town & surrounding mountain peaks.

December 1986 - Bahá'í House of Worship (Lotus Temple), New Delhi (India). Click here for air view. Click here for Bahá'í Temples in other countries.

1988 - Brisbane Nepal Peace Pagoda, South Bank Parklands, Brisbane, Queensland (Australia). Created by the Kingdom of Nepal for Brisbane's World Expo '88. Relocated for the opening of the Parklands in 1992. Includes a peace bell & a peace post in the pagoda garden.

About 1990 - Home of Aung San Suu Kyi, University Avenue, Bahan Township, Shore of Inya Lake, Yangôn/Rangoon (Myanmar/Burma). Unintentional monument. Became iconic when Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and has been under house arrest a total of 13 years from 1990 to 2009.

November 1, 1992 - Peace Pagoda, Charlimont, Darjeeling, West Bengal (India). The height of this Stupa is nearly 30 meters. Gives a nice view of Darjeeling and the Kanchenjunga mount of Higher Himalayan Range. "Designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds to help unite them in their search for world peace. Like most of the other Peace Pagodas, it was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii [1885–1985], a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1993 - - "Peace Tree," Shaheed-e-milat Road, Karachi (Pakistan). "24 foot tall metallic sculpture. Commissioned by Pakistan State Life. Scupted and erected by Karachi artist Anjum Ayaz."

Date? - World Globe, near Dawood College of Engineering & Technology (DCET), Karachi (Pakistan). "Established in 1962, the college is one of Pakistan's finest Engineering institutes and.has honor to be the pioneer to introduce the Electronics, Chemical, Industrial, and Metallurgical Engineering disciplines in Pakistan."

March 21, 1994 - The India Peace Memorial, Tiddim Road, Red Hill, Maibam Lokpa Ching, Manipur State (India). "A hillock about 17 kms south of Imphal City was an action-packed location where a fierce battle took place between Allied and Japanese forces in World War II. Japanese war veterans constructed a monument at the foot of this hill, and it was significantly named 'India Peace Memorial.'"

1995 - Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Wardha, Maharashtra (India). "In 1935, Fuji Guruji from Japan came to Wardha and met Mahatma Gandhi. He put the wish to setup the Stupa (Prayer place for of Budha Community) in India. Gandhi agreed his desire and then after Stanti Stups were built at eight different places in India. One of that Vishwa Shanti Stup is found in Wardha. This Stup is constructed with the help of Japan in 1995. On the Stup the architecture is available describing the history of Lord Goutam Budha [sic]."

February 29, 1996 - Peace Table #3 for Asia, Hall of Peace, Unity Pavilion, International Zone, Auroville, Tamil Nadu (India). By Japanese-American craftsman George Nakashima [1905-1990] of New Hope, Pennsylvania (USA). The Auroville community sprang from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, where George Nakashima was once a disciple.

1996 - World Peace Pagoda, high above Phewa Tal, Pokhara (Nepal). A massive, brilliant white & impressive sight in itself, the shrine is at 1,113 meters, a vantage point which offers spectacular views of Pokhara city and the Annapurna Range (Fishtail, Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Himals). There are three paths up to the pagoda and several small cafes once you arrive.

1996 - Butterfly Peace Garden, Batticaloa (Sri Lanka). "Provides counseling & support to children traumatized by civil conflict in the region. In late 2004 the BPG also became a centre for helping victims of the tsunami which devastated the Batticaloa area. Supported by a variety of local & international agencies and charities, including the governments of Canada & the Netherlands, WarChild International and Ashoka International, which named BPG co-founder Paul Hogan a fellow in 2003."

October 23, 1996 - World Peace Pagoda, Vaishali, Vaishali District, Bihar (India). "Vaishali is well-known for its close association with the Buddha. After the Enlightenment the Buddha frequently visited Vaishali. He organized his Bhikshu Sangha on the pattern of Vaishalian democracy."

June 26, 1998 - Dhamma-Talaka Peace Pagoda, Buddhist Centre, Edgbaston, Ladywood district, Birmingham (England). "The pagoda is provided so that western people are able to learn about Buddhism. The main financial support however comes from generous donations by the Myanmar community around the country." The Venerable Dr. Rewata Dhamma is a senior Burmese Buddhist Monk who is the prime mover behind the building of the pagoda.

August 6, 1999 - No More Hiroshima : No More Nagasaki : Peace Museum, Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Enironmental Protection (IIPDEP), 537 Sakkardara Road, Nagpur, Maharashtra (India). Museum & institute director, Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey, made presentation at 7th International Conference of Mueums for Peace, Kyoto (Japan), October 8, 2008. Member of International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP).

December 7, 2000 - South African Peace Pagoda, The Manger, Barrydale, Western Cape Province (South Africa). Only peace pagoda in Africa. Consecrated by Sayadaw U Thila Wunta, eminent 90-year-old Burmese monk. "A gift he had long wanted to bestow on Africa, thus completing his dream and mission to promote peace and harmony in every continent of the world.... The building of this seven-meter tall gold structure, crowned with a spherical crystal and copper umbrella, was achieved in three weeks by Sayadaw, three Burmese Monks, 20 Canadians, and several local people."

2001 - Children's Museum for Peace & Human Rights (CMPHR), 9-C/1, 8th East Street, Phase 1, D.H.A, Karachi (Pakistan). "A logical extension of, and in partnership with, the Human Rights Education Programme (HREP) which had been working in Pakistan since 1995... The CMPHR hopes to move into its custom-built premises in 2010" (as seen in the image). Director is Zulfiqar Ali. Member of International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP).

November 2001 - World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini, Kapilavastu District (Nepal). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site near the Indian border. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who in turn, as the Buddha Gautama, gave birth to the Buddhist tradition.

September 2002 - Friendship Gate, between Chaman (Pakistan) & Spin Boldak (Afghanistan). "Two large ochre arches covered in blue tiles, overlooking scores of ramshackle Afghan & Pakistani traders' stalls in a one-kilometer no-man's land....completed in September, but its official inauguration has been postponed back several times. Shah blames the Kabul administration. 'The local Afghan authorities want this,' he said, 'but it's the people in Kabul who are making problems.'" "One of nearly 1,000 posts on the Afghan-Pakistani border. At night, the border is largely unguarded, allowing Taliban fighters, weapons & drugs to pass through."

December 12, 2003 - Rotary Peace Monument, Sukhna Lake, Chandigahr, Punjab (India). Incorporates shape of Le Corbusier's "Open Hand" (circa 1965). One of several peace monuments around the world inspired by the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales (Australia).

June 2004 - Peace Sculpture, Woodstock School, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand (India). Sumerian cuneiform character for "peace" (oldest known language). Stainless steel sculpture by Jim Havens of Gibsonburg, Ohio (USA). (Sumerian is a language created out of necessity for the grain trade circa 2,500 BCE.) Photo by EWL Jan07.

May 29, 2005 - Kushinagar World Peace Bell, Nirvana Temple, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh (India). Kushinagar is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site and where Gautama Buddha died. "Nirvana Temple is one of the most frequented amongst Buddhism shrines in the world." Not related to the World Peace Bell Association of Tokyo (Japan).

November 6, 2005 - Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, Yamuna River, New Delhi (India). Click here for the Wikipedia article. There is an older Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Ahmendabd, Gujarat (India).

March 2006 - Bridge to Peace Montessori School, Lunugamwehera (Sri Lanka). Operated by Bridge2Peace, a NGO created in Sri Lanka & the USA in direct response to the 2004 tsunami. Provides quality education for children whose families have been affected by the civil war in Sri Lanka. Image shows peace pole on school grounds.

2006 - Circle Wind (PAX2006), Bodh Gaya, Gaya District, Bihar State (India). Second in a series of seven 'peace sculptures' planned for significant sites around the world by Japanese artist Junkyu Muto (who lives in Italy). A World Heritage Site, Bodh Gaya Bodh Gaya (also called Bodhgaya & Buddha Gaya) is famous for being the place of Gautama Buddha's attainment of nirvana (enlightenment).

October 26, 2006 - House of Peace & Dialogue (HPD), Tibetan Children's Village (TCV), Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh (India). "A peace promoting initiative for youth from all over the world. Based on the firm belief that dialogue and respect for all forms of life are the keys in reducing conflict and creating a platform for coexistence and peace... Inaugurated in the presence and blessings of His Holyness the XVII Galwa Karamapa Rinpoche [in image] & the project's partner Mr. Svein Wilhelmsen, Chairman, Basecamp Explorer Co. & his delegates including Dr. Lars and Ms. Tina Frisk and several other visitors." Dharamsala is the home of the Dalai Lama.

2007 - Vishwa Shanti Stupa / Peace Pagoda, Indraprasht Park, New Delhi (India). "Unveiled by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The landmark also houses some of Budha’s relics in it. The Stupa stands against the backdrop of some magnificent historical buildings like the Old Fort and Humayun’s tomb. The “Vishwa Shanti Stupa” is 28 meters high. Its construction was inspired by the world famous Shanti Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh (qv)....74th in the series of stupas or pagodas around the world."

May 2008 - Matrimandir, Peace Area, Auroville, Tamil Nadu (India). Means "Temple of The Mother" in Sanskrit. An edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of Integral yoga. Called soul of the city. Took 37 years to build. The surrounding Peace Area (right image) has three main features: The Matrimandir itself with its twelve gardens, twelve petals and future lakes, the Amphitheatre and the Banyan Tree. The area is seen as a whole and work in the different sections proceeds simultaneously.

April 2008 - Sahajeevana Centre for Coexistence, Colombo (Sri Lanka). "In April 2008 we open our first permanent photographic exhibition 'Paradise in Tears: a journey through history and conflict', taking the visitor from the fall of the Kandyian kingdom in 1815 to the victory of Chandrika Kumaratunge as she became Prime Minister in 1994." Member of International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP).

M U S E U M

2008 - Interfaith Peace Museum, Interfaith League Against Poverty (I-LAP), Islamabad (Pakistan). Chairman is Sajid Ishaq. Member of International Network of Museums for Peace (INMP).

I N U K S U K

February 28, 2009 - Inuksuk, Auroville, Tamil Nadu (India). "I am Christian Feuillette, president of AVI-Canada and vice-president of the Board of AV International... In the vast expanses of the Arctic, impressive stone figures have been erected by the Inuit for thousands of years in order to guide travelers for their survival. A symbol of the harmonious presence of man in nature, the Inuksuk has now become an emblem of Canada as a whole, honoring the wisdom and spirit of cooperation of the first inhabitants of North America (Inuit and First Nations). This Inuksuk represents for us the quest of Man from the beginnings of Time aspiring for the light of a new consciousness for humanity... The Inuksuk wanted to land now in Auroville, and here was its place. It represents the affirmation of the presence of Canada in Auroville and a living symbol of unification and aspiration."

Date? - National Martyrs' Memorial, Savar, Dhaka (Bangladesh). Also called National Monument of Independence? "Dedicated to the countless lives lost during the War of Independence from Pakistan in 1971... Composed of seven isosceles triangular planes each varying in size in its height and base. The highest one has the smallest base while the broadest base has the lowest height. The planes are folded at the middle and placed one after another. The highest point of the structure reaches 150 feet. This unique arrangement of the planes has created a structure that seems to change its configuration when viewed from different angles."

P A I N T

I N G

April 4, 2009 - “Ahimsa Painting,” Hyderabad (India). "Marking the assassination day of Martin Luther King Jr & the golden jubilee of his pilgrimage to India. The oil on canvas work depicting Gandhi, MLK & President Barak Obama, was done by ahimsa artist Ignatius Xavier Joseph." "4th April happens to make the MAGIC figure 44, the 44th President of America, Barak Obama, fulfilling the Dream of Martin Luther King Jr."

R I N G

November 2009 - Global Peace Ring, Amin & Co., Suha Bazaar, Lahore (Pakistan). "World's biggest ring." Seven goldsmiths toiled for 577 days to create the 50 x 57 inch ring weighing 74 kilograms. From owner Muhammad Amin Saleem: " 210 FLAGS on the surface of my Ring are an indication of Global Unity and Integrity which is the dream of every eye in this complex modern world... By the grace of Allah, the ceaseless labour of my team and the prayers of my nearest and dearest ones, I feel pride of having the honour in accomplishing the dream of my late father (may God bless his soul rest of eternal heaven) who longed for such a marvellous ring as a token of Love and Peace for the whole world. Global peace has been in constant threat for many years. The only way out is the establishment of Peace Free from territorial bias and prejudice. Peace has its own victories no less renowned than war." Info courtesy of Julie Obermeyer.

C L O C K

January 12, 2010 - Bangladesh Peace Clock, Ouellette Avenue median (north of Wyandotte), Windsor, Ontario (Canada). "Made possible by a generous donation of retired Windsor librarian & active campaigner for world peace Mr. A. Aziz Chowdhury... The cost was $60,000, half of which was supplied by Mr. Chowdhury. Additional donations were graciously made by the clock’s contractors. In keeping with Mr. Chowdhury’s interest in stimulating pedestrian activity in the downtown core, this humble time piece was designed and built at a height that would place it clearly at eye level for people enjoying downtown by foot. The clock is set against a backdrop of three flags: Canada, City of Windsor & Peace flags."

P A G O D A

January 17, 2010 - Global Vipassana Peace Pagoda, Gorai Creek, Mumbai (India). "Built to promote peace and harmony in the world... In construction for 11 years, is expected to stand as a beacon of Purity which will stand tall for the next 1000 years. Will strengthen India’s image. Towering 325 feet with a 280-feet diameter, one of the largest stone monuments in Asia. Contains the world’s largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars and seats 8000 meditators. More than three times the size of the previously largest masonry structure – the Gol Gumbaz [1659] in Bijapur... Vipassana, an ancient meditation technique of India, was rediscovered by Buddha 2500 years ago but lost its true form since last 2000 years. It was brought back to India and the world by Pujya Shri Goenkaji. This new inning of Vipassana is completing its 40 years this year."

P A L A C E

January 28, 2012 - Shanthi Mahal / Global Peace Palace, Thumboli, near Alappuzha, Kerala State (India). "Chief minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate Global Peace Palace, a monument for war heroes and victims of terror attacks built by AKB Kumar, an ex-service man, at Thumboli on January 27. The construction of the monument, a replica of Agra's Taj Mahal, started on January 28, 2008. 'I have spent Rs1.25 crore for constructing this monument dedicated to India's war heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation,' said 61-year-old Kumar at a press conference here on Friday. Kumar was a chief petty officer in the Indian Navy. He had joined the Navy at the age of 15. During his 18 years of service, he participated in the Indo-Pak war in 1971. 'During that war, I lost some of my friends. It was then that I decided to set up a monument for war heroes. But then I did not have enough money for the purpose. Later, I joined as fire and safety engineer at Kochi Refineries and spent all my savings for constructing this monument. I even had to take a bank loan for completing the structure,' he said. Kumar retired from Kochi Refineries last April. The Global Peace Palace has four minarets representing the Army, Navy, Air Force and other forces. The central portion of the structure is dedicated to the victims of terror attacks. Kumar said people could visit the monument free of cost, and that he had sought government help for its protection." /// Click here for more informtion.