Tourism dept plans to connect Kaushambi with Buddhist circuit

PRAYAGRAJ: Seeking to introduce the world to Kaushambi district’s rich cultural legacy, the tourism department has decided to submit a proposal to the government to develop various tourism sites associated with Buddhism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and connect it with the Buddhist Circuit.
The department would soon submit a Rs 50 crore proposal to the state government. The proposal is based on an elaborate survey conducted by different departments like forest, power, revenue and tourism of several sites of religious and historical importance on Wednesday.
Deputy director (UP Tourism) Dinesh Singh said the ambitious project is proposed to be developed under the Buddhist Circuit, which was created as part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
The Buddhist Circuit is a route that follows the footsteps of Gautam Buddha from Lumbini in Nepal where he was born, through Bihar (Gaya) where he attained enlightenment, to Sarnath where he gave his first sermon and Kushinagar where he died. He visited Kaushambi many times to preach his sermons.
The proposal explains how various sites in Kaushambi can be preserved and developed to boost the district’s tourism potential.
“If the proposal is approved, we plan on adding several attractions for tourists including a majestic meditation centre. Visitors would be treated to an audio-visual show about the importance of the various Buddhist sites in Kaushambi,” said architect of the project Vishal Gulati.
Public amenities like toilets, restaurants, waiting halls, handicraft markets and shops are also be offered to visitors. Other attractions included in the proposal are an open air theatre, water points, ATM kiosks and currency exchange centres for the convenience of foreign tourists. “As there is not enough parking space at most tourists attractions, the department has proposed to launch its own e-rickshaw service which would ferry tourists to the meditation centre,” said Singh.