VARANASI, India — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Kashi is gearing up to host foreign delegates taking part in the International Buddhist Conclave in Bodhgaya and Sarnath from September 26 to 28. After spending two days in Bodhgaya the delegates will be in Varanasi on September 28.
The event is being organised by the Union ministry of tourism in association with the governments of UP and Bihar to promote Buddhist heritage. Through this event, the ministry of tourism aims at devising new business strategies for marketing Indian Buddhism Heritage. To take stock of the preparations, the additional director general (tourism) Usha Sharma recently visited Sarnath. “About 130 delegates from 30-32 countries including international tour operators, opinion makers and media personalities along with people of Buddhist community, will participate in the conclave,” said Ravindra Kumar Mishra, regional tourism officer.
The visiting delegates would be given a traditional welcome at Babatpur airport. A display of Buddhist articles will also be arranged to show various aspects of Buddhist culture and tradition. Mishra said the visitors would visit the ancient Buddhist sites like Dhammek Stupa, Mulaagandha Kutey Vihara, museum in Sarnath and will also visit Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch Ganga Aarti in the evening.
Mishra further said overseas guests including tour operators and media representatives will be coming from over 30 countries which are Australia, Belgium, Bhutan, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Holland, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Phillipines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.
India has a rich Buddhist Heritage with several important sites here associated with the life of Lord Buddha. There are many followers of Buddhism in countries like China, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan and the religion is also becoming quite popular in America, Australia and United Kingdom.
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