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| Ministry of Tourism organizes ‘DekhoApnaDesh’ Webinar on “Exploring Buddhist Circuit by Train, Photo Credit: Pixabay |
NEW DELHI (Lampe):- The Ministry of Tourism organized an interesting webinar titled
“Exploring Buddhist Circuit by Train” on 16th January 2021 as a
part of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ Webinar series. The Webinar focused on
promoting and showcasing the rich Buddhist Heritage in India and highlighted
the major destinations visited by Buddha personally across the country besides
showcasing the Buddhist Heritage left behind by his disciples including the
modern monasteries. Further, the Webinar also focused on providing first-hand
information to the viewers on arrangements for travel (Especially by Train)
& accommodation to the Buddhist Sites in India.
The webinar began with the opening remarks by Shri Arun Srivastava,
Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Tourism. He said that Buddhist tourism in
India has tremendous potential to draw the 500 million strong Buddhists
across the world to “India -The Land of Buddha”. He said India has a rich
ancient Buddhist Heritage with several important sites associated with the life
of Lord Buddha. The Indian Buddhist Heritage is of great interest to the
followers of Buddhism the world over. He also stated that Buddhism has remained
a vital force, an inspiration, and above all, guidance to our traditions and
customs. In sum, its unique contributions in the various fields of culture have
greatly enriched Indian cultural heritage, apart from adding to the religious
diversity of the land.
The Webinar was presented by Dr. Achyut Singh, Joint General Manager
(Tourism & Marketing), Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation
(IRCTC). The Presenter began by providing information on the life of Buddha &
his teachings. He informed that IRCTC Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train envisioned covering the most venerable sites of Buddhism, following the life path of
the Enlightened One, the Buddha, himself. The Buddhist tourist train covers all
the places which had a significant impact on Buddha’s life and teachings.
Shri Singh stated that Lumbini, lies across the India-Nepal border, yet
the IRCTC Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train itinerary enables all guests to pay
their respects at the holy site in addition to the Mayadevi temple, dedicated
to the Enlightened One’s mother. The Buddha’s moment of enlightenment,
enshrined for eternity under the Maha Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, occupies an important place in the itinerary, as much for its religious & scholarly
significance as for the monumental beauty of its confluence of Buddhist
traditions from all over the world.
In crafting the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train itinerary, special care
has been taken to include the site of the Buddha’s original sermon, which gave
birth to Buddhism, from where sprang all its varied forms, sects, and
distinctions. This august site, Sarnath, is in proximity to Varanasi, one of
the most ancient seats of Indian culture. The guests have the opportunity to be
mesmerized by the Ganga Aarti, which is performed on the banks of the holy
Ganges in the evenings.
Tracing the life of the Buddha from his birth to his ascension from the
bindings of the material world, the comprehensive itinerary of the Buddhist
Circuit Tourist Train incorporates the Mahaparinirvan Temple at Kushinagar,
with its Reclining Buddha depicting the divine soul’s last earthly position of
rest. Aspirants who wish to achieve deeper insight into Buddhism can delve into
its intricacies while reflecting on the sermons given by the Buddha at
Sravasti; specifically, the Jetavana monastery.
A final, visit is the palatial and opulent TajMahal to complete a journey
that will make guests/tourists cultivate self-discipline and positive reflection.
The equanimous peace that pervades this monument to love instills tranquillity
in even the most irascible travelers and soothes everyone, body, and soul.
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