Mahabodhi Mekapati Goutham Reddy International Centre for Meditation-Dhamma inaugurated at Andhra University Campus

The Mahabodhi Mekapati Goutham Reddy International Centre for Meditation-Dhamma was inaugurated on the Andhra University (AU) campus here on Saturday (February 21, 2026).

The facility, built at an estimated cost of ₹4 crore, is a joint collaboration between the Mahabodhi Society and Andhra University. It is a first such massive centre among any public educational institutions in the State.

The international meditation centre was donated by former MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy and his wife Manimanjari in memory of their son, late former Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy.

The family expressed hope that the centre would serve as a sanctuary for peace and happiness for students and the general public alike. The event saw the attendance of Mekapati Goutham Reddy’s wife Keerthi Reddy, daughter Ananya Reddy, son Krishnarjuna Reddy, and brothers Vikram Reddy and Pruthvi Reddy.

Spanning approximately 15,000 square feet, the centre features a spacious Dhamma (Meditation) Hall. The first floor houses a dedicated Vipassana meditation hall along with separate dormitories for men and women. The centre includes five rooms for Buddhist monks and an upcoming Tripitaka Library for spiritual research. The building is equipped with modern amenities, including a lift for easy access.

During the event, Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy highlighted the importance of such centres in today’s mechanical lifestyle. He noted that with the rising influence of social media on youth, this centre would provide a constructive path to manage stress and anxiety.

The inauguration was marked by special prayers led by the president of the Mahabodhi Society, Guru Bhante Kassapa Mahathera, and other Buddhist monks. The family also unveiled a statue of Mekapati Goutham Reddy within the premises.

The centre will be managed by the Mahabodhi Society, offering courses in Mindfulness and Social-Emotional Learning, Vipassana training and Yoga sessions, counselling services for students, and also research programmes on human values and Buddhist studies.