At a Cambodian temple, the tourism minister Huot Hak presented Bollywood star Gagan Malik with a traditional Krama, a Khmer scarf, symbolising respect and hospitality. Supplied
Gagan Malik, a renowned Bollywood actor who is famous for his portrayal of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, has visited Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park to promote tourism and peace.
“On March 16, Minister of Tourism Huot Hak and Malik shared a message with the world. They described the richness of Cambodia tourism and the peace, economic security and public order that guests to the Kingdom enjoy,” said the tourism ministry.
Malik, who gained international fame for his role as the Buddha in the 2013 film Sri Siddhartha Gautama, took to social media to share his admiration for the beauty and tranquility of the Angkor Thom Temple in particular.
“Buddham Saranam Gachhami. So peaceful to visit Angkor Thom temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Such a great example of ancient beauty,” he wrote, in a heartfelt Instagram post.
During his time in the Kingdom, Malik received a warm welcome from the tourism minister.
During a temple visit, the minister presented Malik with a traditional krama, a Khmer scarf, symbolising respect and hospitality.
The exchange – against the serene backdrop of a historic temple – highlighted the cultural connections between Cambodia and India.
The krama, often worn by Cambodians, is a symbol of pride and unity, making the moment even more significant as Malik embraced this token of Cambodian culture during his spiritual journey through the country.
Malik, who has deep personal connections to Buddhism, has used his platform to promote the teachings of Buddhism and build cultural bridges between nations.
In 2014, Malik officially embraced Buddhism in a ceremony at Mihintale, Sri Lanka, a significant site in Buddhist history.
He also spent 15 days as a temporary monk at Wat Thatthong in Bangkok in 2022 to immerse himself further in Buddhist teachings.
Malik’s spiritual journey is marked by his ongoing efforts to foster deeper connections between India and Sri Lanka.
His dedication to the Buddhist cause led him to organise pilgrimages to key Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka, including a significant trip in September 2024, where he led 65 pilgrims from India to explore ancient Buddhist heritage sites.
In addition to his spiritual work, Gagan Malik co-founded Lotus World, a non-profit initiative dedicated to spreading Buddhist teachings through visual media.
