Achi news desk-
Buddha Purnima Today: Buddhist Circuit To Connect Sanchi With Bodhgaya, Sarnath | Photo FP
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is developing a Buddhist Circuit to connect Sanchi and other destinations in the state with Bodhgaya and Sarnath in Bihar. The aim is to inform Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visiting Sarnath and Bodhgaya about Buddhist heritage destinations in Madhya Pradesh. Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Board has spent Rs 70 crore to develop Sanchi, Mandsaur, Dhar, Satna, Rewa, Satdhara, Sonari, Murel Khurd and Gyaraspur.
Approach roads, meditation centres, interpretation centres, Buddhist theme parks, tourism facilitation centers and route facilitation centers have been developed for the convenience of Buddhist pilgrims and tourists. Marshall House development, foothills, approach roads, hilltop, light and sound show, tourism facilitation center at Sanchi, landscaping around Chaitanya Giri Vihar, development and beautification of Kanak Sagar Lake located at the foothills of Sanchi, Buddhist theme park, beautification and development of Square Road Junction, development and beautification of the route from the railway station to the foot of stupa, meditation kiosk and complex works at Satdhara, Sonari, Murel Khurda and Gyaraspur near Sanchi.
Buddhist followers from all over the world can enter Madhya Pradesh from Deurkothar (Rewa) via Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. From there, they would reach Sanchi via Bharhut Stupa in Satna district and then Satdhara, Sonari, Andher and Murelkhurd to Ujjain. From here they would visit Dharmnar, the Bagh caves and cross the Narmada and Tapti rivers to reach Ajanta and Amaravati and then South India and from there they would leave for Sri Lanka.
The principal secretary, culture and tourism, Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that efforts are being made to encourage pilgrims and tourists visiting religious centers like Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar to come to Sanchi and other destinations in Madhya Pradesh. “We are making significant efforts to connect, develop and promote major sites related to Gautam Buddha’s life values,” he said.
