In line with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) nations meeting in India in April this year, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has lined up services for Buddhist destinations. The train covering Buddhist Circuit will cover nine destinations including some non-Buddhist places like Varanasi and Agra.
An international conference on ‘Shared Buddhist Heritage’ was held here under India’s SCO Presidency this week on March 14-15. Under the circuit, the special train will cover Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi, Sarnath, Lumbini (Nepal), Kushinagar, Sravasti, and Agra.
Under the service, the tourists will have an opportunity to spend time at the Buddhist circuit destinations and see the places of importance at each of them.
In Bodhgaya, they can visit Mahabodhi Temple, the Niranjana River, the Thai Temple, the Japanese Temple, and Buddha Statue. In Rajgir, there is Bimbimsara Jail, Gridhakut hill, and Venuvan, while Nalanda has the famous Nalanda University, and Nalanda Museum. The above destinations are in the Indian state of Bihar.
The rest of the destinations except Lumbini are in Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath has Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Ashokan Pillar, and Mulgandha Kuti Vihar. In Varanasi, tourists can see Evening Aarti. In Kushinagar are Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa, Mata Kutir Temple, and other sites. In Sravasti, sightseeing places are Jetvana Vihara, Pakki Kuti, and Sehat Mahet. In Agra, tourists can visit the World famous Taj Mahal.
Lumbini in Nepal has Maya Devi Temple and Ashokan Pillar.
The Buddhist Circuit train is part of the IRCTC’s Bharat Gaurav Trains concept commenced to facilitate the spiritual journey of the locals and tourists.
The SCO meeting under India’s Presidency brings together Central Asian, East Asian, South Asian and Arab countries on a common platform to discuss ‘Shared Buddhist Heritage’. The meeting aimed at reaffirming India’s role in the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and Eurasia and from there to East Asia.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
