KATHMANDU, Nov 26
Mention of Buddhist Circuit by Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in his address during the 18thSAARC Summit has created a wave in the Nepali tourism sector. Talking a day after signing of tourism related agreement between Nepal and India Modi stated that the Buddhist Circuit must be developed and the South Asian region connected through it. Development of the birthplace of Lord Buddha Lumbini to Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment, must be moved forward. This will not connect just Nepal and India but the whole South Asia,” he said.
Tourism entrepreneurs feel completing this plan will add a new dimension to the tourism industry. They believe this plan will be a milestone in extending the stay in Lumbini of tourists coming from India who currently spend just a couple of hours there. Tourism entrepreneurs have long been demanding for development of the Buddhist Circuit including Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushi Nagar where, Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana along with Tilourakot of Kapilvastu, Ramgram of Nawalparasi and Devdaha of Rupandehi. Tourism entrepreneur and campaigner for the Buddhist Circuit Bikram Pandey says Modi’s statement will have a positive impact, and claims that both countries will reap equal benefits through development of the Buddhist Circuit connecting all places related to Lord Buddha.
The two countries have signed tourism agreement including development of the Buddhist Circuit in presence of Indian PM Modi. The issue of the Buddhist Circuit has also been included in different stages of bilateral discussions since November 22 to jointly move the issue of tourism development. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development Purna Chandra Bhattarai reveals that the Buddhist Circuit has been included in the 73rd point of the bilateral agreement between the two countries. “Separate agreement has not been reached on the Buddhist Circuit but it has been included in different agreements for tourism. This will be a milestone not just for Lumbini but the overall tourism sector in Nepal,” he states. He says Nepal is trying to move the Buddhist Circuit forward from two angles. “The first is to develop the international Buddhist Circuit by connecting birthplace Lumbini to Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar. The second is to incorporate Swoyambhu, Bouddha, Kapan and others areas internally with Lumbini,” he elaborates.
The countries have signed agreement to promote the Buddhist Circuit in a way to benefit religious and touristic importance of both the countries. He feels the Buddhist Circuit has now become indispensable also due to start of regional international airport in Bhairahawa. The government has already started construction to complete the airport by 2017. Hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists are expected to visit Lumbini every year if the Buddhist Circuit were also developed along with construction of the airport.
India currently is selling Buddhist Circuit by connecting Lumbini to Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Sarnath and Sravasti. Pandey says the Indians are only including Lumbini from Nepal in the circuit and the concept of integrated Buddhist Circuit has been floated to ensure that Tilourakot of Kapilvastu, Ramgram of Nawalparasi and Devdaha of Rupandehi do not remain in the shadows. “Almost all the Buddhists across the world want to first visit Lumbini. We have, therefore, stressed for the integrated Buddhist circuit including Tilourakot of Kapilvastu, Ramgram of Nawalparasi and Devdaha of Rupandehi,” he adds.
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