Tourism nudge to promote sites associated with Gautam Buddha

Hundreds of Buddhist followers from across the country and abroad will visit Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar), and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) over the next two days as part of the Tourism Ministry's efforts to promote sites associated with Gautam Buddha, Union Minister KJ Alphons said today.

Speaking at a four-day International Buddhist Conclave inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind today, Alphons said a delegation of ministers from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, who are participating in the conclave, will visit the Buddhist sites.

Delegates from 29 countries - Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mangolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam - will be accompanying them.

"India has a rich ancient Buddhist Heritage with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha. The Indian Buddhist heritage is of great interest to the followers of Buddhism the world over. The aim of the conclave is to showcase and project the Buddhist heritage in India and boost tourism in the Buddhist sites in the country," Alphons said.