Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya along with Youth and Sports Ministers, and representatives from 11 BRICS’ member countries visited the Thotlakonda Buddhist heritage site in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday (August 22, 2026).

The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday (August 22, 2026), while the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting will be held on Sunday (August 23, 2026).

Mr. Mandaviya also planted a sapling at the heritage site, as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” plantation drive on the sidelines of the meet being held under India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026.

The delegates toured the Mahastupa, ancient water cisterns, the refectory, and the meditation centres at Thotlakonda, with a guide explaining the historical and Buddhist significance of the site, along with details of its archaeological remains and the monastic life once led there.

Describing the visit, Mr. Mandaviya said the Thotlakonda Buddhist heritage site held considerable importance for the world, and that India’s Buddhist heritage was significant on a global scale. He said he was glad to have visited the historic site and to have taken part in the plantation drive alongside the BRICS delegates.

Published - August 22, 2026 03:14 pm IST