Buddha Trail to enthral tourists

Buddha Trail to enthral tourists

Somdatta Basu, TNN | Sep 25, 2012,

KOLKATA: The state government is all set to start a 'Buddha Trail', on the lines of the Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan. Spread over the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim, the trail will connect cities where Lord Buddha had a spent a part of his life.

The project, being prepared in consultation with railway officials, will not only require financial support from the Centre but also it's approval. Once the project is finalized and accepted by the Indian Railways, it will be forwarded to the Centre.

Palace on Wheels may have its very own Bengali incarnation. West Bengal government has embarked upon an ambitious plan to start a 'Buddha Trail', connecting the cities related to Lord Buddha. The project is being prepared in consultation with railway officials and the Buddhist trail is being considered by the Indian Railways. Since other state governments are also involved in the project, the trail will require a nod from the Centre as well as financial support. After the project is finalised and accepted by the Indian railways, it will be further sent to the center.

After a preliminary discussion, the trail had been conceptualised to be spread over the four states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.

"The main aim of the project is to attract Buddhist tourists from Southeast and East Asia. A huge number of footfall is experienced in each places linked with Buddha. Most of these tours are organised from Delhi. Now, we plan to start a similar trail from Kolkata," said a senior tourism department official. "The tourists travelling from Southeast Asia will find the tour very lucrative because of cost benefits. The airfare from Southeast Asia to Kolkata is way less than that in any other Indian city."

A tentative itinerary has also been chalked out and sent for approval. According to it, the Buddha Trail will first pass through Gautam Buddha's birthplace in Lumbini and then through UP's Kushinagar where Buddha attained nirvana. This will be followed by a stop at Shravasti in the state's Gonda district. Tourists will then be taken to Sarnath in Bihar. "There are ruins and relics which the travellers will visit. Sarnath is also an important place of pilgrimage for those who practice Buddhism," said the official.

After a visit to Varanasi, tourists will be taken to Bodh Gaya where Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment. In the final leg of the tour, travelers will be taken to two monasteries - Rumtek in Sikkim and Ghoom, around 8km from Darjeeling. The monastery at Ghoom has a 15-feet hight Buddha statue.

The tentative itenary which has been discussed and sent for an approval includes places like Lumbini - the birth place of Gautam Buddha and Kushinagar - place where Buddha attained nirvana in Eastern U.P. Followed by Shravasti in the Gonda district of U.P. At Sravasti Buddha had spent a long time after he became a monk. It is also near Tetavana monastery where he had spent his life. The tourists will be then taken to Sarnath in Bihar. "There are ruins and relics which the travelers will visit. Sarnath is also an important place of pilgrimage for those who practice Buddhism. The place houses a deer park," said the official. Tourists will be then taken to Varanasi situated just 13 kms away from Sarnath.

Next on the tour will be stop at Bodh Gaya - a place where Gautam Budhha had attained his enlightenment. The temple located at Bodh Gaya has been identified as a Unesco protected world heritage site.

In the final leg of the tour, travelers will be taken to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim and the famous monastery at Ghum near Darjeeling. "Rumtek is famous for a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and is closely associated with Karmapas - religious gurus of the Tibetan sect. At Ghum in West Bengal which is only 8kms from Darjeeling is also a place of tourist interest. The monastery at Ghum houses a 15-feet high Buddha statue," added the tourism department official.

The tour will be expensive since the cost will include accommodation, travel and food expenses of all travelers

. "The tourists will be put up at star hotels whenever there are overnight stays

. Moreover, an entire train will have to be reserved with grand decor, global cuisine and other luxuries which the travelers can experience in the Palace on Wheels," added the official.

The state government will also start a tour to the rare heritage sites of West Bengal. "A seven-day tour will start from Malda and end in Darjeeling," said Vikram Sen, secretary of tourism department.

Bengali tourists too shall have no regrets as the TMC led government is also working on a plan to start a package showing the travelers rare heritage sites and natural beauty of West Bengal. "A seven-day tour will start from Malda and end in Darjeeling," said Vikram Sen, secretary of tourism department. Bodh Vihar, Bara and Chota Sona Masjit, Imambara of Malda along with Bangarh in South Dinajpur will be toured on dau 1. The second day itenary includes places like Gorumara, Chaba, Jalpaiguri and stone temples in Moinaguri. On day 3 the tourists will be taken to Jaldapara and Jayanti. On day 4, tourists will travel on bus from Malbazar and reach Kalimpong. The next two days will be spent at Darjeeling. Finally on day 7, the tourists will visit Mirik lake and then start for Kolkata from Siliguri.

"The total package will cost Rs 16,000 per head and will include accommodation, travel and food costs," said Sen.