Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology

& Applied Nutrition

“A Study on Buddhist Circuits in Bihar”

Research Project By:

MAYANK KUMAR
Roll No. 140320
IGNOU Enrollment No. 149549844

Submitted To – IHM BHOPAL

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 TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN

This to certify that project report titled "A STUDY ON BUDDHIST

CIRCUITS IN BIHAR" carried out by MAYANK KUMAR Roll no

140320 been accomplished under my guidance and supervision

MRS. MEENAKSHI PANDEY

(MENTOR)

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3
 CONTENTS
Sr. No. PARTICULARS PAGES

CHAPTER 1 GUIDE'S CERTIFICATE 4

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 5

CHAPTER 2 OBJECTIVES 6
CHAPTER 3 PREFACE 7

CHAPTER 4 INTRODUCTION 8-13

CHAPTER 5 HISTORY 14-19
CHAPTER 6 SIGNIFICANCE OF BUDDHISM IN BIHAR 20-43
CHAPTER 7 MAJOR BUDDHIST IN PLACES IN BIHAR 44
CHAPTER 8 BIBLOGRAPHY 45
CHAPTER 9 CONCLUSION 46-47

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 CERTIFICATE OF THE GUIDE

This is to certify that the project work entitled "A STUDY ON

BUDDHIST CIRCUITS IN BIHAR" submitted in partial fulfillment for the
award of degree RPSC in hospitality and Hotel Administration by
NCHMCT, Noida in collaboration with IGNOU, New Delhi in an authentic
work carried out by him under my complete guidance. The matter embodied
in his project work has not been submitted earlier for the award of any
degree of diploma to any other institution to the best of my knowledge and
belief.

SIGNATURE OF THE PRINCIPAL SIGNATURE OF THE GUIDE

Name of the Examiner Signature of the Examiner

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The study was conducted by the assistant of several individuals. I

really appreciate their health and hear by thank them. I would like to give
special thanks to the following people: Firstly, I would like to thank MRS.
MEENAKSHI PANDEY who had Supervised the study and was in charge
of the entire Project His presence and assistant was remarkable
And so I am grateful to him. Secondly, I would like to thank all other people
who Provided me with the resources conduct my study. Their help and
assistance was very valuable and so I would like to acknowledge them as
well. Over all the above ancient people had a great role in my study.
Their direct and indirect help indeed proved to be help.

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OBJECTIVES

TO KNOW ABOUT
Buddhist places where he was born, and his life while getting
education in Bihar. The Buddhist Circuit is a route that follows in the
footsteps of the Buddha from Lumbini in Nepal where he was born, through
Bihar in India where he attained enlightenment, to Sarnath and Kushinagar
in Uttar Pradesh in India, where he gave his first teachings and died. This
iconic route only includes places where the Buddha actually spent time, and
these sites – all of which are over 2500 years old – are among the most
significant and revered for all Buddhists.
Bihar is where he found what he was looking for –
enlightenment. From then on, the Buddha explored this
beautiful country, discovered the middle path, preached to
his disciples and finally attend Mahaparinirvana. It is
believed that the Buddha wanted every Buddhist to visit the
four places that were significant in his life. Lumbini (in
Nepal) his birthplace, Bodhgaya – where he attained
enlightenment, Sarnath – where he preached his first
sermon and Kushinagar where he attained
Mahaparinirvana. These places are respected as the greatest
Buddhist Pilgrimages. Since then, many of his disciples have
built Stupas, Statues, Sculptures and shown Buddha in
Various forms of art and architecture. Bihar is a State that is
rich with impressions of Buddhism and we at Visit Bihar are
fully equipped with the knowledge and in-depth connection
with tourism product in Buddhist Circuit.

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PREFACE
The history of Bihar indicates a rich culture inherited from various
dynasty and birthplace of and great personalities and several religions. It has
immense potential for tourism activities like religious tourism, heritage
tourism, and nature tourism. Apart from that, the wildlife, birds and
sanctuaries hold vast potential for eco-tourism. But the tourism potential of
the state for generating much needed income and employment remain under
utilized. With this scenario, Marketing Division, Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of
India has taken proactive steps to carry out 20 Year Perspective (Tourism)
Plan for the State of Bihar. M/s Consulting Engineering Services (India)
Private Ltd. has been assigned to evolve a meaningful plan considering all
facets of tourism development in the State. The Tourism Master Plan for
Bihar has been prepared as per the guidelines suggested by the Department
of Tourism, Government of India by developing sustainable tourism giving
year-wise phasing of investment indicating short term and long term plans
for implementation of identified potential development schemes/ project/
products.

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INTRODUCTION

The Buddhist Circuits are the Places of all High Significance Holy
Sites of Buddhism where Lord Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment,
preached first Sermon and reached Nirvana.
Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar are the primary
pilgrimage places of Buddhist Circuits associated with the life and teachings
of the Lord Buddha. There are numerous other sites where the Buddha and
the saints that followed traveled during his life after his transformation,
which are held in deep veneration. Visitors can travel through this Buddhist
Circuit today, to savor the splendid beauty and great appeal of Buddhism.
The greatest impetus to Buddha’s teachings came from the Indian King
Ashoka who went on a great pilgrimage visiting the important sites that are
directly associated with his life, in the Footsteps of Lord Buddha. Primary
amongst these holy places are Lumbini in Nepal, and Bodhgaya, Sarnath and
Kushinagar in India. There are other places of lesser significance on the
Footsteps of Lord Buddha visitor circuit associated closely with Buddha’s

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life. Amongst these are Buddha’s monsoon retreats of Vaishali, Rajgir and
Sravastii in India, and his early home at Tilaurakot in Kapilavastu Nepal.
Lumbini: Lumbini in southern Nepal is where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to
Prince Siddhartha. It is just a short distance from the Shakya capital of
Kapilavastu. Pilgrimages focus on the sacred garden which contains the site
of the birth, the Mayadevi temple, the Pashkarni pond and the Ashoka pillar.
Designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, the sacred garden of Lumbini
is a World Heritage Site with monasteries from many Buddhist nations. It is
recognised as a supreme pilgrimage site and symbol of world peace.
Lumbini, the Lord Buddha's birthplace, evokes the same kind of holy
sentiment to the millions of Buddhists all over the world as does Jerusalem
to Christians and Mecca to Muslims. For centuries, Buddhists all over the
world knew Lumbini was where the Buddha was born, however, the exact
location remained uncertain and obscured until as recently as 1886 when a
wandering archaeologist came across a stone pillar and ascertained the exact
location.
The historic importance of the pillar is evidenced by the inscription
engraved on it, in Brahmin script. It reads that Emperor Ashoka (sometimes
spelled Ashoka) visited the site in the twentieth year of his ascendancy to the
throne (around 300 BCE), and as homage to the birthplace, erected the pillar.
South of the Ashoka Pillar is the famous sacred pool "Puskarni'' believed to
be the same sacred pool in which Maya Devi took a holy dip just before
giving birth to the Lord and also where the infant Buddha was given his first
purification bath.
The single most important place in Lumbini is the stone slab located deep in
the Sanctum Sanctorum. Revealed after hard and meticulous excavations

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under three layers of ruins over the site of a famous Maya Devi temple, the
stone slab marks the exact spot of the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
In addition to the Ashoka Pillar, the other shrine of importance is the bas-
relief image of Maya Devi, kept in a small pagoda-like structure. The image
shows Maya Devi, mother of the Lord, supporting her by holding on with
her right hand to a branch of the Sal tree, with the newly born infant Buddha
standing upright on a lotus pedestal on an oval halo. Two other celestial
figures are depicted in an act of pouring water and lotuses from heaven.

Bodhgaya
It was in Bodhgaya in Bihar, India that Prince Siddhartha found
Enlightenment (nirvana) under the bodhi tree after meditating for 49 days.
No longer a bodhisattva (mentor), he became Lord Buddha, the Enlightened
One.
Primary points of homage are the Mahabodhi Temple, the Vajrasan
throne donated by King Ashoka, the holy Bodhi Tree, the Animeshlochana
chaitya, the Ratnachankramana, the Ratnagaraha, the Ajapala Nigrodha Tree,
the Muchhalinda Lake and the Rajyatna Tree. The spiritual home of all
Buddhists, devotees from many Buddhist countries have built temples
around the complex in their characteristic architectural styles. Bodhgaya
today is a vibrant and inspiring tourist attraction.
Sarnath
Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath after achieving
enlightenment, about 10 km from the ancient holy city of Varanasi. The
sermon, setting in motion the wheel of the teaching
(dharamchakrapravartna) revealed to his followers the 4 noble truths, the
concept of the 3 jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha via the 8 fold path,
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for inner peace and enlightenment. It was here that the Buddha established
his first disciples (sangha) to promote his new doctrine. The splendid
Dhamekha Stupa at Sarnath was originally erected by King Ashoka, as was
the famous lion capital pillar, now the proud symbol of India.
Kushinagar
At Kushinagar close to Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India en
route to Kapilavastu, Lord Buddha fell ill and left this world in 543 BC. His
mortal remains were preserved in eight commemorative chortens, and then
further distributed by King Ashoka into 84,000 stupas across his kingdom
and beyond. Important places to see here are the Mukatanabandhana stupa
and the Gupta period reclining Buddha statue in red sandstone.

Besides the above Four Major High Significant Buddhist Pilgrimage sites,
there are other places that hold special meaning in the life of Lord Buddha.
Vaishali
The Buddha preached his last sermon before his death at Vaishali in
Bihar, 60 km away from its capital Patna. It was here that he told his disciple
Ananda about his imminent demise. The Second Buddhist Council was held
in Vaishala about 110 years later.
Rajgir & Nalanda University
About 70 km from Bodhgaya, Rajgir was Buddha’s monsoon retreat
for 12 years whilst he spread his doctrine. It was at the holy Griddhikuta Hill
that he expounded the precepts of his Lotus Sutra and the Perfection of
Wisdom Sutra. The Saptaparni Caves set on Vaibhar Hill were the venue of
the First Buddhist Council, held to compile the teachings of the Buddha in
its authentic form, after his death. The world-renowned university of
Nalanda is another important landmark site.
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Shravasti
About 150 km from the city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Shravasti
was Buddha’s favourite rainy season retreat where he Buddha performed his
first miracle.

OVERVIEW
India is one of the world’s great reservoirs of history, cultures,
philosophies and religions. Global interest to visit and experience these
assets puts India amongst the most desired destinations for tourists and
pilgrims. The Buddhist Circuit is a route that follows in the footsteps of the
Buddha from Lumbini in Nepal where he was born, through Bihar in India
where he attained enlightenment, to Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar
Pradesh in India, where he gave his first teachings and died. This iconic
route only includes places where the Buddha actually spent time, and these
sites – all of which are over 2500 years old – are among the most significant
and revered for all Buddhists. The Buddhist Circuit is an important
pilgrimage destination for the 450 million practicing Buddhists as well as
travelers interested in history, culture or religion. Investing in the Buddhist
Circuit is the result of first-time collaboration between the Government of
India’s Ministry of Tourism, the State Governments of Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh, the private sector, Buddhist monasteries and sects, and the World
Bank Group. The work was led by the International Finance Corporation
(IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. Extensive on-the-ground data
collection, consultations and analysis were conducted. The outcome is a
framework for public and private sector investment that secures and
enhances the experience of the sites while unleashing the full job creation

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potential of tourist spending at the towns and sites, and along the Buddhist
Circuit. The most important places are:
• Lumbini (in Nepal) – where he was born.
• Bodhgaya (in Bihar) – where he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi
Tree.
• Sarnath (in Uttar Pradesh) – where he delivered his first sermon.
• Nalanda and Rajgir (in Bihar) – where he lived and taught, and Nalanda, in
particular, became the center of Buddhist learning and teaching.
Kushinagar (in Uttar Pradesh) – where he died.
• Kapilavastu (on India Nepal Border) – Kapilvastu is deeply endowed with
the Buddha’s origins. It is believed that Buddha spent his first early years
here before embarking on the long journey to enlightenment.
• Vaishali (in Bihar)– Buddha’s last sermon delivered.
• Sravasti (in Uttar Pradesh) – Buddha spent twenty four rainy seasons here
at the Jetavan monastery, built by his disciple Sudatta Anathapindika.
• Kausambi (in Uttar Pradesh) – Buddha is believed to have stayed and
preached at Kausambi.

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A BRIEF HISTORY
Buddhism, one of the major religions of the world, finds its roots in
Northeastern India. Siddhârtha Gautama or Buddha’s teaching laid the
founding stone for new line of thinking called Buddhism. Born in the
Himalayan foothills, Siddhârtha left his palace to live the life of a mendicant
at the age of 29. Buddha wandered through the modern day States of Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar in India. His footsteps covered nearly a 1000km stretch
from Kajangla in the East to Mathura in the West. The Tripitaka, ancient
Buddhist scriptures provides us with an insight of the Buddha’s journey.
After many years of meditation, Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh
Gaya. The temple complex in Gaya, Bihar is the most important pilgrim site
associated with the life of Buddha. In 2002 it was also declared as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following his enlightenment, Buddha
travelled to Sarnath (Isipathana), where he delivered his first sermon -
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. Dharmekha Stupa at Mrigadava or Deer
Park in Sarnath is believed to be the spot where the sermon was given. The
archaeological museum near the site has a rich collection of Buddhist Relics
and antiques. Buddha established his first disciples (sangha) here to promote
his new doctrine. Buddha is believed to have travelled to Rajagaha, Nalanda,
Patna, Urvela and Lativanna. Monasteries identified by archeologist include
Ghositarama, Jivakarama, Jetavana and Veluvana. Buddha visited Nalanda
several times during the course of his life, and excavations reveal several
temples and vihara ruins at the site. Many famous Buddhist scholars had
studied or taught at Nalanda, and seeds of religious forms such as Mahâyâna
Buddhism were laid here. Kushinagar, in modern day eastern Uttar Pradesh
is believed to be the final resting place of Lord Buddha. He delivered his last
sermon here and the place is venerated as the site of Buddha’s
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Mahaparinirvana (freedom from the cycle of birth and death). He was
cremated at the Ramabhar Stupa. The mortal remains of Buddha were
preserved in eight commemorative chortens, and then further distributed by
King Ashoka into 84,000 Stupas across his kingdom and beyond. Since
Buddha’s journey covered a wide area of the Gangetic plain and was later
spread to Southeast Asia through his disciples, Buddhism encompasses
diverse and vibrant practices and traditions. Buddhism has now been
established across almost every continent. About 488 million Buddhists
worldwide represent 7% of the world’s total population, making Buddhism
the th 1 4 largest religion in the world . Buddhism has evolved into three
major branches: Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana. Despite of regional
variations and different schools of thinking, Buddhism has retained its
unique identity.

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LITERATURE REVIEW
TRACING THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHA’S FOOTPRINTS IN
BIHAR
In the first week of December, the Bihar government’s Department of
Tourism will launch a new scheme to popularize and generate awareness of
the state’s Buddhist monuments. Called “walking tourism,” the pilgrimage
will start in Bodh Gaya and take in other “Buddha’s footprints” circuit sites
in the state. It is expected that both monks and tourists will participate.

Evidence suggests that Lord Buddha visited Rampurva, Lauriya

Nandangarh, Areraj, Kesariya, Vaishali, and Hajipur en route to Bodh Gaya.
Being associated with the Buddha’s life, these important monuments are
today protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and are visited
by thousands of tourists and pilgrims from around the world each year.
To promote the sites, Bihar’s tourism minister Jawaid Iqbal Ansari has made
an appeal to tour operators and travel agencies across the world to prepare an
itinerary for tourists and pilgrims to visit the places on Bihar’s Buddhist
trail. “All the sites associated with Lord Buddha pilgrimage tour would be
developed to attract Buddhist pilgrims,” he said. “It would be major
attraction for all the Buddhists across the world.”
Working alongside the Bihar state government, the central government’s
Ministry of Tourism is also planning to promote Buddhist sites both in Bihar
and Uttar Pradesh, and is working on a “Buddha heritage” project to help the
state governments.
The Bihar government is in the process of chalking out the final route
of December’s walking tour, in accordance with the instructions of the
general director of the ASI. The director had told ASI officials to make a
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detailed report on the routes associated with the Buddha’s life back in 2012,
and a group of experts have been working together and visiting sites in East
and West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali under the leadership of the
former deputy director of archeology of the government of Bihar, Ajit K.
Prasad.
According to Prasad, Rampurva in West Champaran is the most
important Buddhist site after Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar.
The famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang also mentioned this site in his
records, and it therefore has the potential to be developed as a major tourist
destination. The experts also mentioned some lesser known Buddhist sites
which need immediate protection and conservation, like Bhikhna Thori,
Hetukunwar, Mahayogini, Shahodra, Baudh Barva, Chanmari, Jagdishpur,
and Chankigarh, all in West Champaran, and Sagardih and Nawniardhi, in
East Champaran.
Also among Bihar’s holy Buddhist sites is the Mahabodhi Temple,
which is one of the most spiritual attractions for Buddhists all over the
world. However, since the 2012 bomb blasts in Bodh Gaya tourism has
generally decreased in the state, and extra efforts will therefore need to be
made to attract pilgrims to the Buddhist circuit. The state government will
also need to develop infrastructure for pilgrims and tourists at the other
Buddhist sites in Bihar.

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BIHAR GOVT'S GRAND PLANS TO DEVELOP 'BUDDHIST
CIRCUIT'
The Bihar government has decided to develop the road connecting
Bodh Gaya to Patna into a four-lane express highway with funding from the
Japan International Cooperation Agency, officials said on Saturday.
"The proposed project of widening of the 110-km stretch between Bodh
Gaya to Patna and developing it as a four lane express highway is ready and
work will begin soon," said an official in the Chief Minister's Office.
At present, the road only has two lanes and is in a bad condition. According
to officials, the project is estimated to cost Rs 1,210 crore.
According to Bihar Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav, the
JICA will provide financial assistance to the state for the project.
Earlier in February, during the inauguration of the three-day Buddha
Mahotsava festival, Kumar had announced the construction of the road to
improve connectivity and boost tourism to the holy site.
Kumar had then described it as an ambitious project that will change the
tourism scenario of the state.
"Kumar has requested Union Highway Minister C P Joshi two days
ago, during the latter's visit to the state to inaugurate Kosi Mahasetu in
Supaul district, to help the state start work on the project soon," officials
said.
In January, Kumar had asked concerned officials to go ahead with the
development of the Buddhist circuit' in the state. "He also directed officials
to identify undiscovered places associated with Buddha in this Buddhist
circuit," officials said.
The Buddhist circuit of Bihar comprises shrines in Bodh Gaya,
Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali and Kesaria. Kumar's ambitious plans for
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developing the Buddhist circuit include world class road networks,
construction of modern budget and higher-end hotels and facilitating direct
rail links and air services to Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Vaishali.
The project will be completed in two phases. In the first phase, the four-lane
road between Bodh Gaya to Patna will be constructed. In the second phase,
four-lane roads will be developed from Gaya to Rajgir, Nalanda and
Vaishali.
The Bihar Road Development Corporation Limited has been made the
nodal agency by the Union ministry of road and national highway.
Officials of the state tourism department admitted that bad roads connecting
important places in the 'Buddhist circuit' are now hampering their growth
potential and tarnishing the state's image among tourists, especially
foreigners.
The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation's officials claimed
that the state had attracted more than 5.27 lakh foreign tourists till November
2011.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF BUDDHISM IN BIHAR
The term 'Bihar' derives from the Sanskrit word 'Vihara', which means
abode and it itself explains the relation of Bihar with the viharas, used as the
Buddhist abode. The land of Bihar is considered to be the richest one in
context of Buddhism as it showered the divine light of enlightenment on a
young ascetic, Siddhartha Gautama, who had denounced all the luxuries of
life in search of the truth. The Tathagata preached many of His sermons in
different places of Bihar like Vaishali and Rajgir or Rajgriha to name a few.
Even after His Mahaprinirvana, His disciples carried on the doctrine of
Buddhism in the regions of Magadha or Bihar by setting up several
monasteries and universities of Nalanda and much later, at Vikramshila.
However, the contribution of the Indian emperor Ashoka(whose capital was
at Patliputra, modern Patna) in the history of Buddhism cannot be ignored as
it was he, who after becoming a Buddhist, patronised Buddhism as his state
religion and spread its doctrine, Dhamma in different parts of India and
abroad as far as Sri Lanka, Greece and Egypt.

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MAJOR BUDDHIST PLACES IN BIHAR

BODHGAYA
Bodh Gaya is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Bihar. It was at
Bodh Gaya, where a young ascetic, Siddhartha Gautama in His search of the
reality of life, meditated under a Peepal tree, attained enlightenment and
became the Buddha or the Tathagata. Today, Bodh Gaya, a home to Maha
Bodhi temple, Maha Bodhi tree and numerous monasteries, is a venerated
place among the Buddhists from all the corners of the world, who visit the
place to mark the enlightenment of the Buddha.
NALANDA
Nalanda', which means the place that confers the lotus, emerged as an
important Buddhist university and religious centres in the 4th-5th century
CE. The scholars of the Nalanda monastic university such as Bodhidharma
and others took Buddhism to other parts of the world, China, Korea and
Japan to name a few. Though in ruins today, Nalanda is an inseparable part
of the state and its history.

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VAISHALI
Located in Bihar near Patna, Vaishali was the first place visited by
Siddhartha Gautama in India, when he left home as an ascetic. Once again, it
was at Vaishali, where the Tathagata had announced His soon to arrive death
or Mahaparinirvana. Vaishali, a place jeweled with stupas(One contain
Buddha's relics), monasteries and temples, is frequently visited by the
Buddhists, Jains(for birthplace of Mahavira) and other tourists.
RAJGIR
Siddhartha Gautama had once visited Rajgir(Rajgriha) during His
search for an enduring truth and again returned back at this place as the
Buddha, this time to spend some years over here. It is believed that two rock
cut caves at Rajgir were the favourite retreats of the Tathagata and He
preached two of His sermons here. The small city of Rajgir with its
numerous attractions such as Vaibhav hill, Ajatshatru's fort and Swarna
Bhandar among many others, is a holy place for the Hindus and Jains as
well.

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MAJOR BUDDHIST MONUMENTS IN BIHAR

MAHA BODHI TEMPLE

A world heritage centre declared by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO), the Maha Bodhi complex in
Bodh Gaya homes an ancient temple of the Buddha, built by Ashoka in the
3rd century BCE. Pampered with a superb and magnificent architecture, the
temple houses a 150 feet high tower, which further contains a gilded colossal
image of the Buddha in the 'bhumisparsha mudra' or touching the ground
pose.
MAHA BODHI TREE
The Maha Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is the most revered place for all
the Buddhists as it was under one of the predecessors of this ficus(peepal)
tree where a young man, to fulfill His thirst of the truth, meditated and
achieved the divine light of enlightenment. The 160 years old Maha Bodhi
tree, fifth generation plant of the original one, stands as high as 80 feet, and
a major centre of pilgrim for the Buddhists from all over the world.
NALANDA MONASIC UNIVERSITY
The Nalanda monastic university in Nalanda, though in ruins today,
was once one of the most famous learning centres of the world. Established
during 4th-5th century CE, the Nalanda university was destroyed by the
Islamic invaders in the 12th-13th century CE, and is now under the
supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India.
VIKRAMSHILA UNIVERSITY
The remains of the Vikramshila university near Bhagalpur(50
kilometers) is a major Buddhist attraction of Bihar. Built during 8th century

24
CE by Dharampala, the Vikramshila learning centre flourished as a centre
for Tantric Buddhism or Tantrayana.

OTHER MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

PATNA
The state capital of Bihar, Patna is situated on the banks of the holy
river Ganges or the Ganga. Earlier known as Patliputra, Patna is not only a
major gateway to all the Buddhist destinations in Bihar, but at the same time,
the city in itself has always been a major historical, cultural and political
centre of the state. A home to several monuments like GolGhar, Sadakat
Ashram and Harmandirji, and several museums such as that of Kumhrar,
Patna was also visited by the Buddha while crossing the river Ganga.
BHAGALPUR
Famous as the 'silk City', Bhagalpur is one of the major cities of
Bihar. The historic place of Bhagalpur was once a part of the 16
Mahajanpadas or the republics, but then was known as Anga. Situated on the
banks of the holy river Ganga, Bhagalpur today is the district administrative
centre as well as an agricultural market. The city is also famous for the
remains of the ancient Buddhist monasteries along with its silk, fabric
weaving and sugar milling.

25
GAYA
A home to Bodh Gaya(8 kilometers), the place of the Buddha's
enlightenment, Gaya in Bihar is sacred for the Hindus as well, who visit the
famous 'Vishnupad temple', where the God Vishnu is bekieved to have
preached the reality of death. The city is also famous for industries of cotton,
jute, sugar and stones along with the trade of tobacco and betel leaves.
MADHUBANI
The heart of art and culture in Bihar, Madhubani is worldwide
famous for its paintings, the finest folk art carried by the women of the
region. Besides, Madhubani is also famous for the tantric practices in the
temples of the Hindu goddess Kali and the ruins of the palaces of the earlier
heads of the princely state of Darbhanga.
The proposed 'Buddhist Tourism Circuit' scheme is likely to get a
fresh impetus following Bihar's 'Nalanda Mahavihara' being awarded the
'UNESCO World Heritage Site' tag on Friday. Already, Rs 1,500 crore have
been sanctioned by the Government of India to promote religious tourism
under three schemes - the Ramayana, Krishna and Buddhist Circuit.
The prestigious UNESCO title to Nalanda, a great 5th Century monastery,
gives it a legally protected status under the Geneva Convention; plus, it
entitles it to funds from 'UNESCO World Heritage Fund' for conservation
and promotion.

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EXTENDED DHARMAYATRA BY TOURISM MINISTRY
An 'Extended Dharmayatra' or 'Sacred Circuit Retracing Buddha's
Footsteps' has been identified by the Ministry of Tourism. This 10-15 day
tour includes visits to: Bodhgaya (Nalanda, Rajgir, Barabar caves, Pragbodhi
Hill, Gaya), Patna, Varanasi, Kushinagar and Piparva with a day trip to
Nepal's Lumbini.
India receives thousands of Buddhist pilgrims annually from 30
countries including Vietnam, Loas and Thailand. RS Fonia, Joint Director
General, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), told Mail Today, "Nalanda
will be developed as a star tourist attraction. Currently, the 23 hectares site
has major encroachments, in terms of agricultural fields, settlements and
pucca constructions. These will be removed. The whole area will be
demarcated."
"Tourist facilities will be created here of international standards. This
includes signages, facilitation centres, toilets, CCTV cameras, etc. The
Nalanda Archaeological Museum, which houses 13,463 antique recoveries
made from Nalanda and Rajgir excavated sites, will be upgraded further," he
said.
It will be developed into an educational and research hub. Also, it will
be maintained in the spirit of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, he added.

EASE OF CONNECTIVITY TO NALANDA

ML Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, added,
"Plans are afoot to connect all the notified Buddhist sites by rail, road and
air. Airstrips will be developed where there none, such as Bodhgaya. Flights
will be launched. Talks are on with Pawan Hans. Three ministries - that of
Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation - are involved in this." Senior officials
27
said that NK Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, is keenly looking into
this, coming from the Bihar IAS Cadre and having been the DM of Nalanda
himself years back. Nalanda is a part of the international 'Silk Route'
platform as well.

FURTHER EXCAVATION OF NALANDA

Following the encouragement of the UNESCO tag, ASI will now go
in for further excavation of the 'Ancient Remains of Nalanda Mahavihara.'
Dr. RS Fonia said, "Currently, only 6 km of the core area of Nalanda has
been excavated. However, the known limits of the ancient university extend
over about 150,000 sq m."

BIHAR GOVT TO DEVELOP ‘FOOTPRINTS OF BUDDHA’ SITES

TO PROMOTE TOURISM
Bihar government has decided to develop the 'footprints of Buddha
circuit' sites located in four districts of the state. Most of these sites are ASI-
protected monuments which need immediate care and upkeep. To popularize
and generate awareness about these places, the department of tourism, Bihar,
has decided to organize 'walking tourism' from Bodh Gaya in December.
"The available evidence suggests that Lord Buddha had visited
Rampurva, Lauriya Nandangarh, Areraj, Kesariya, Vaishali and Hajipur
during his journey to Bodh Gaya," says an expert.
Bihar tourism minister Dr Jawaid Iqbal Ansari said all the sites associated
with Lord Buddha pilgrimage tour would be developed to attract Buddhist
pilgrims. It would be major attraction for all the Buddhists across the world.
Recently, he made an appeal to various tour and travel operators from across
the world to prepare an itinerary package covering all such places for the
28
tourists as well as Buddhist pilgrims.
According to official sources, the Centre is already working on Buddha
heritage project in which Buddhist sites located in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
would be covered. Additional secretary (tourism) GOI, Girish Shankar, said
the Centre is ready to assist the state government in developing the Buddhist
circuit. To popularize the Buddha's footprints, state tourism department has
decided to organize a 'walking tourism' from Bodh Gaya in the first week of
December. Several Buddhist monks and pilgrims are expected to participate
in it, he said. The final route plan is being chalked out, said a government
official. In 2012, the then ASI director general had given necessary
directions to its officials to make a detailed report on the routes associated
with Lord Buddha. The ASI's directives came following a survey report of
these sites by a group of experts. The team leader of the group, Ajit K
Prasad, former deputy director, archaeology, government of Bihar, said the
ASI DG had assured him to develop all these sites.
Way back in 2012, an eight-member team led by Ajit K Prasad had visited
these sites in East and West Champaran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali to
authenticate the footprints of Buddha. Rampurva in West Champaran is the
most important Buddhist site after Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and
Kushinagar. This site has the potential to be developed as a major tourist
destination. Famous Chinese traveller Xuanzang had also mentioned this site
in his travel accounts.
The experts also mentioned some lesser known Buddhist sites which
need immediate protection and conservation like Bhikhna Thori,
Hetukunwar, Mahayogini, Shahodra, Baudh Barva, Chanmari, Jagdishpur,
Chankigarh (all in West Champaran), Sagardih and Nawniardhi (East
Champaran).
29
POSITIONING AND BRANDING
Expanding tourism along the circuit involves occupying, promoting,
and developing a market position that appeals to a spectrum of potential
visitors and capitalizes on the variety of resources and assets offered in the
area. Selling proposition The following three experience pillars contribute to
unique market positioning and selling proposition for the circuit:
• Pilgrimage: The religious significance and holiness of the area for
Buddhists, given that the Buddha spent his entire life here and that the
Dharma and the Sangha originated here, and that the Buddha suggested his
disciples both lay and monastic to visit the places associated with his life.
• Ancient heritage: Many of the circuit sites and relics date back as far as
300 BC and the location of the circuit in and around the historic Ganges
Valley provides for an exceptional experience of ancient history, traditions,
and architecture. Many of these ancient places compliment the spiritual
experience and showcase India’s diverse cultural and heritage tourism
offering.
• Mind, body, spirit: The character, ambience, and history of the sites and the
traditions of Buddhist communities on the circuit offer Buddhists and non-
Buddhists the perfect environment to engage in healthy, therapeutic practices
like meditation and selfreflection, yoga and other exercises, and healthy
eating.

30
BRAND
The following elements can be used to communicate the Buddhist Circuit
brand
• The term “Buddhist Circuit” is already a well-established name for the
route and should be retained as a brand name. Variations of the name such as
Buddha’s Path, Buddha’s Way, and Buddha’s Route could be used for a web
domain should www. buddhistcircuit.org be unavailable.
• The logo can be used as a stamp of recognition of the brand, to mark and
signpost the circuit and to endorse products and services affiliated to the
circuit.
• The proposed logo design is a rendering of the lotus flower, one of the
most recognized symbols of Buddhism accompanied by the “Buddhist
Circuit” wording. The following versions could be considered to brand the
circuit:
• The logo can be used by and on behalf of all public and private sector
stakeholders:

31
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BUDDHA

 As a common identity on printed and electronic promotional materials

used to market the circuit. The logo can be complimented by suitable
“look and feel” design imagery, based on a standardized colour
palette.
 As a mark of affiliation for all businesses, attractions, monasteries,
nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
 As a trail and route marker to indicate attractions, sites, routes, and
destinations that are part of the circuit.
 The logo and graphic design can be complemented by suitable
photographic and artistic imagery that supports the market positioning
of:
 Pilgrimage (pilgrims patronizing the circuit, stupas, and temples)
 Mind, body, and spirit (meditation, yoga, and reflection)
 Heritage (relics, ancients sites, journeys of Bodhisattvas, Xuan Zang).

32
TARGET MARKETS
While the circuit is patronized almost exclusively by Buddhist pilgrims,
their numbers are limited in relation to the large numbers of Buddhists
globally. Also, the majority of pilgrims are relatively low spending travelers.
Non-Buddhist travel on the circuit has been very limited when compared to
overall leisure travel to India. Current non-Buddhist travel is primarily of a
backpacking, budget nature. The majority of visitors to the circuit are of the
following four types:
 Budget pilgrims: Devout Buddhists committed to visiting all sacred
sites where the Buddha was born, became enlightened, taught, and
died. This segment travels under tight budgets and prefers basic,
simple facilities and services. They mostly travel in large groups by
road and sometimes by train.
 Comfort pilgrims: Devout Buddhists committed to visiting the full
circuit or at least part of it, especially the four most sacred sites of
Buddha’s birth (Lumbini), enlightenment (Bodhgaya), first sermon
(Sarnath) and death (Kushinagar). The segment requires greater travel
comfort and often travels on tighter time frames than budget pilgrims.
They travel in both large and smaller parties and often prefer to travel
more independently than the budget pilgrims.
 Budget explorers: Non-Buddhists on a backpacking, independent
budget trip or domestic family holiday in northern India. They visit a
few of the circuit sites as a quick-visit component of a wider itinerary,
or they could make the circuit an important component of their
itinerary and spend a substantial portion of their itinerary here.
 High-end explorers: Includes high to medium-end foreign packaged
tourists and independent “flashpackers” on a wider India itinerary, as
33
well as domestic leisure travelers on a holiday break. They mostly
visit a few selected sites on the circuit (for instance, Sarnath,
Bodhgaya, and/or Rajgir/Nalanda) and require comfortable and good-
quality facilities, services, shopping, and recreation.

34
MARKET PERFORMANCE
On the following page, provides an overview of visitor patterns and trends
over a seven year period between 2006 and 2012
 The four main sites of Sarnath, Kushinagar, Bodhgaya, and Rajgir
attracted more than 90 percent of Indian visitors and more than 83
percent of foreign visitors to the Circuit in 2012.
 The primary triangle of Sarnath, Rajgir/Nalanda, and Bodhgaya
attracted around 81 percent of Indian visitors and 78 percent of
foreign visitors to the Circuit.
 Average annual growth of visits between 2006 and 2012 was
high−between 18 and 20 percent respectively for international and
Indian visitors.
 Visits grew steadily at all main destinations and visits by both

domestic Indian and foreign visitors to Rajgir/Nalanda grew at 48

percent and 80 percent.
 Foreign visitor numbers to Kushinagar also grew at almost 30 percent
per year.
 Seasonality is a major issue facing tourism businesses on the Circuit.
Foreign visitation statistics indicate that more than 60 percent of
foreign visitors travel on the Circuit during the five month period
from November to March.

35
THE FOLLOWING TRENDS EMERGE FROM THE SURVEY:
 The majority of Indian visitors cited spiritual/religious travel as the
reason to visit the Circuit, 34 percent cited leisure and entertainment.
At some sites, such as Rajgir, Nalanda and Sarnath, leisure and
entertainment were cited by a large number of visitors (between 40
and 50 percent).
 A large majority (72 percent) of international visitors travelled the
Circuit for spiritual/religious purposes. The exception was Sarnath,
where the majority (51 percent) cited leisure and entertainment and
only 33 percent said they were visiting for spiritual and religious
reasons.

36
DEMOGRAPHICS
 Age: The average age of domestic tourists visiting the Buddhist
Circuit was between 30 and 31, lower than the average age of
international tourists of 38 to 39 years. Moreover, with international
tourists, the average age of religious travelers was higher than that of
the non-religious travelers. Sri Lankan, Thai, Japanese, and Myanmar
tourists had the highest average age among tourists.
 Profession: Students and traders/business formed the largest
proportion of the sample among the domestic tourists, international
tourists consisted of a mix of traders/ businessmen, students, and self-
employed professionals.
 Education: International tourists had relatively higher levels of
education than domestic tourists. The highest education level for a
sizeable proportion of domestic tourists was high school; whereas a
majority of international tourists were college/university graduates.
 Income: The average income of international tourists was more than
seven times that of domestic tourists. However, considering the
sensitivity of the issue, a sizeable portion of respondents refused to
disclose their incomes, and some respondents may have misquoted
their incomes.

37
TOURISM RESOURCES
Attractions at a majority of sites on the Circuit stretch beyond its core
landmarks. Tourists interact with the broader environment, which include
urban and rural landscapes and natural and cultural resources of the main
towns and locations on the Circuit. An enjoyable and impactful travel
experience depends on more than physical landscapes and heritage –
services rendered by locals and the ambience and aesthetics of the travel
environment are equally important aspects of an attractive and
sustainable tourism destination. The following are key challenges and
opportunities related to current resources on the Circuit. Buddhist sites
and other attractions Buddhist heritage sites and surroundings are
managed by a variety of agencies. Each site has its own challenges, but
the following concerns are applicable across most sites
 The majority of relics and landmarks (such as stupas, water bodies,
and monasteries) associated with the life of the Buddha are
protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or
institutions set up for the purpose such as temple management
committees. The sites are generally well maintained and preserved.
 Most sites lack quality visitor facilities, such as shaded seating for
meditation and rest, modern well-maintained restrooms, pathways,
and lighting.
 ASI site opening hours are, in many cases, restricted and do not
allow after-hours visits. Since pilgrims are on tight schedules, this
restricts the quality of the experience.
 Interpretation of the history, events, and context of Buddhism is
lacking. ASI operates museums at most sites, which contain
numerous valuable, high quality relics and displays. But these are
38
 mostly static and museums do not follow themes or storylines.
Opportunities for visitors to interact and engage are very limited.
 Visitor information and signage throughout the Circuit is
inadequate.
 The sacred sense of place is often tainted by commercial, human,
and vehicular intrusion. Not only does this take away from the
spiritual experience but pollution poses severe threats to the
structural quality and integrity of the sites.
 Entertainment, shopping, and relaxation in and around the sites are
extremely limited and opportunities to enjoy a relaxing meal or
beverage, listen to music, or participate in cultural activities are
few.
 Aesthetic, practical integration with the surrounding urban
environment is mostly absent. In many instances there are no, or
very limited, visitor friendly transition zones between the sites and
its surroundings. This means that, once outside site boundaries, the
hustle and bustle of daily life is often “in the face” of those who
seek spiritual contemplation and peace.
 Opportunities to interact with and experience the culture and
lifestyle of local communities are limited and except for purchases
from local informal traders, the majority of Buddhist Circuit
visitors are removed from local communities.
 The sites and their surrounding visitor environments are often
under the control of a variety of institutions such as the ASI,
tourism departments, forest departments, temple management
committees, and local traders. Inclusive coordination and planning
is rare
39
 Employees in the hotel industry are generally well trained in basic
hospitality services. According to national statistics, around 80
percent of employees of registered hotels have had at least a one-
year certificate in hospitality management or some focused in-
house training.
 Apart from managers of higher quality hotels, few locals are
trained to deal with the unique requirements of Buddhist
nationalities such as foreign languages, food preferences, cultural
habits, and spiritual practices. There does not appear to be
formalized cooperation between country monasteries and local
tourism authorities to address foreign visitor requirements. Foreign
groups are generally accompanied by guides and tour leaders from
countries of origin.
 The quality and availability of Indian tourist guides specializing in
the Buddhist Circuit is limited, possibly due to the group
pilgrimage nature of travel on the Circuit. As a result, visitor
interaction and interpretation is limited or lacking.

 Local communities are unaware of the behavior, requirements, and

economic contributions of Buddhist travelers. This may lead to
misperceptions and even conflicts. Outreach and awareness
programs to educate and inform locals and visitors about the
benefits, requirements, and responsibilities associated with
Buddhist tourism are few.
 Although informal traders throughout the Circuit sell handicrafts
and souvenirs, the quality and authenticity of such products is
inconsistent. There is opportunity to sell higher quality crafts,
40
 souvenirs, and other locally produced items. Most sites lack
suitable shopping and market areas, and trading is mainly
concentrated at entrances to historical sites

INTANGIBLE RESOURCES
The intangible elements and characteristics of the Buddhist
Circuit experience are important in fulfilling expectations and
delivering experiences sought by visitors. Since the architecture and
tangible relics are less impressive than that of other religious
locations, visitors are in search of a unique spiritual experience. This
requires a suitably serene environment. There are many challenges
here
 The Buddhist Circuit experience encourages inward reflection and
meditation, among other things. The social, cultural and religious
environment in India is not always conducive and few spaces around
the Circuit are suitable for quiet contemplation.
 Spiritual serenity and meditation require an unpolluted and healthy
environment. Sites on the Circuit suffer from high levels of air
pollution, noise pollution, traffic congestion, and littering.
 Personal safety is of primary concern to all tourists. The introduction
of tourist police at some of the sites is a positive development.
Coordinated safety and crisis management and effective health care
are limited. Specific areas requiring attention are:
 Improvement of visitor safety at the more adventurous sites such as
the Rajgir ropeway, especially for older tourists.
 Emergency health care in proximity of sites.
 Harassment of tourists.
41
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation on the Circuit largely reflects the nature and extent of
market demand. Accommodation is available in the following categories:
PRIVATE HOTELS
All main sites on the Circuit offer one or more private hotels. These
are mostly 2-star and below, with the exception of a few 3-star hotels. There
are no 4 or 5-star hotels in any of the main locations on the Circuit, other
than those in nearby Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna. Private hotel supply at 3-
star level and lower appears to be in tune with market conditions (in
particular pilgrimage budgets and tastes, and seasonality). There does not
appear to be a shortage of this type of accommodation along the Circuit.
PRIVATE BED-AND-BREAKFAST AND GUEST HOUSES
The main pilgrimage centers offer a range of low cost
accommodation, especially in Bodhgaya. These cater to budget conscious
local travelers and international pilgrims.
GOVERNMENT HOTELS
The state tourism corporations of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have
government-owned hotels at all Buddhist locations. These range from
dormitory accommodation to tourist standard en-suite rooms and cater to the
entry level of the market. Facilities are generally quite dated and in need of
recapitalization and refurbishment. At several locations, government-owned
hotels are located on prime land. Operations of some government-owned
hotels are outsourced to private individuals; observations indicate that the
state corporations outsource the more marginal facilities and manage the
more viable ones.

42
MONASTERIES
The various country monasteries mainly provide accommodation to
their own nationals. However, many monasteries also take in tourists and
nationals of other countries. While they are not allowed to charge specific
rates, guests are expected to make a donation in return.

ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES

In order to leverage the potential of tourism as a driver of economic
growth and job creation, activities along the Buddhist Circuit need to be
improved and amenities need to be upgraded. Some of the more urgent
issues are:
 Difficult road conditions for long driving distances when visiting
multiple sites.
 Seasonal tourist patterns, dictated by extreme weather conditions
during shoulder and down seasons.
 Sites are “islands” in Hindu and Muslim majority areas, with limited
contact between locals and visitors.
 The Circuit’s attractions are derived more from history and spiritual
engagement than from tangible and impressive architecture,
construction, or physical evidence.

43
BIBLOGRAPHY

 http://www.tourism.gov.in/survey/BIHAR%20TOURISM%20ANNUAL
%20STATISTICS%20%20REPORT%20Final.pdf Statics Tourism in Bihar
on Indian Government's tourism website
 http://www.mssu.edu/projectsouthasia/history/primarydocs/Foreign_Views/Greek
Roman/Megasthenes-Indika.htm Surviving text of Indika - book by Megasthenes
 Wriggins, Sally Hovey. Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road.
Westview Press, 1996. Revised and updated as The Silk Road Journey With
Xuanzang. Westview Press, 2003. ISBN 0-8133-6599-6.
 A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms: Being an account by the Chinese Monk Fa-
Hien of his travels in India and Ceylon (A.D. 399-414) in search of the Buddhist
Books of Discipline. Oxford, Clarendon Press. Reprint: New York, Paragon Book
Reprint Corp. 1965. ISBN 0-486-21344-7
 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Mandir_trust_submits_Rs_35-
cr_budget/articleshow/3017191.cms
 http://www.gurbaani.com/gurd/gurdawaras6.htmGurdwara Pahila Bara
 http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Kangan-Ghat.aspx Gurdwara
Gobind Ghat
 http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Guru-Ka-Bagh.aspx Gurdwara Guru
ka Bagh
 http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Bal-Leela.aspx Gurdwara Bal Leela
 http://www.takhatpatnasahib.com/Gurdwara-Haandi-Saheb.aspx Gurdwara Handi
Sahib
 The State Museum Bihar, India - Patna Museum
 http://patna.bih.nic.in/html/planetarium.htm Patna Planetarium
 http://dst.bih.nic.in/Planetarium.htm Patna Planetarium
 Exhibits / Facilities at Srikrishna Science Centre
 http://forest.bih.nic.in/SGBPark.htm Patna Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan

44
 CONCLUSION
This document provides an integrated framework to fast-track tourism
growth on the circuit by focusing on critical challenges and opportunities
along the destination value chain. It should serve as a guiding framework for
investment in tourism development on the circuit over the next five years. Its
success will depend on:
The strategy being adopted as the official strategic framework for
tourism development on the circuit by public sector tourism authorities,
relevant departments and ministries, the private sector, the religious
community, and other interested and affected parties. Adequate finances
being made available by the government of India, the state governments of
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and other financing partners. Adequate institutional
and human capacity being allocated to implement the strategy. Further
specialized studies and detailed plans being conducted in support of key
projects identified in the strategy The strategy being regarded and treated as
a flexible, guiding framework that should be continuously adapted and
updated. Effective measurement and evaluation systems being implemented
to monitor success and impact.
India has only scratched the surface in attracting a meaningful share
of religious Buddhist travelers. Arrivals to India from Buddhist dominated
countries comprised a mere 0.005 percent of all Buddhist adherents. Since
the Buddhist Circuit is the area where Buddhism originated and where the
Buddha lived, the potential for Buddhist tourism expansion is enormous.
Both domestic and foreign tourism on the Circuit has grown
exceptionally well in the recent past, indicating potential for growth.
Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Rajgir, Nalanda, and Kushinagar, are clearly the main
attractions on the Circuit and could become important catalyst locations for
45
an accelerated growth strategy. The high seasonality in visitor arrivals is a
major challenge that negatively affects expansion potential, business
viability, and sustainable employment creation on the Circuit. Strategies are
needed to overcome this.

46