To mark the special occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and South Korea, there are a slew of programmes which are being held in New Delhi.

Today, for the first time Korean temple food will be introduced to the people in India and also to the well-known chefs. This event of Korean food demonstration and experience will be held at the Capital’s Korean Cultural Centre by Ven. Jeong Kwan, a master of temple food.

The Korean temple food is prepared in accordance with the teachings of Lord Buddha who respected each and every form of life, irrespective of its size. This food is vegetarian and it forms part of the Korean traditional cuisine. The dishes that will be offered include baked chips made of lotus stem, potato and seaweed, served with lotus flower tea.

Apart from this special exhibition titled “An Encounter with Korean Traditional Buddhist Culture in India, the Land of Buddha” ‘ has also been organised at the Capital’s National Gallery of Modern Art. This show will go on till April 30 and includes media art of Buddhist painting scrolls which are called ‘Gwae Bul’, a symbol of traditional Korean Buddhist rituals; Korean traditional lanterns of ‘Yeondeunghoe’, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and various photo works with the theme of temple stay.

At this exhibition hall visitors can also experience several aspects of Korean culture and art like Korean Buddhist scriptures inking, and making lotus lanterns till today. There was an overwhelming response from teenagers and children who participated in large numbers in these workshops on lantern making, woodblock printing, colouring fans, and stringing prayer beads.

The celebration of the 50 years is being organised by the National Gallery of Modern Art, Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Korean Cultural Centre India, and Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.