Visitors from Thailand are thronging the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department’s pavilion at the ongoing Buddhabhoomi programme, seeking information about Lord Buddha’s travel destinations.

They are keen to explore the Uttar Pradesh’s Buddha Circuit tour packages.

UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh on Thursday highlighted the interest generated by the event.

He noted that during the ongoing Buddha Bhoomi programme that began on February 23 and ends on March 3, the Tourism Department has established a pavilion centered on Kushinagar, the site of Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana.

Within this pavilion, information about prominent Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh, such as Kushinagar, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Sankisa, and Kaushambi, is being shared with visitors through various mediums like books, travelogues, and stalls, minister said.

Anamika Mishra, a travel agent and director of Destiny Travel, operating at the Buddhabhoomi stall, remarked on the special interest shown by Thai people in the Buddhist sites of India, particularly those in Uttar Pradesh.

Mishra noted a daily influx of thousands of inquiries regarding these destinations, indicating the deep faith of the Thai people in Lord Buddha and their eagerness to experience the spiritual essence by visiting renowned Buddhist places like Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh.

Sudeep Chaurasia, director of Travel Zone, noted a daily footfall of 5,000 to 8,000 visitors at the stalls, mostly young individuals seeking tour information for renowned Buddhist sites. He mentioned their nine-night and ten-day package covering destinations like Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Kaushambi, Sankisa, Kapilvastu, and Bodh Gaya, priced at Rs 35,000 on average. Chaurasia expressed optimism about potential increases in Thai tourist arrivals soon.

Today, at the Buddha Bhoomi event, Monk Dr. Pornchai Palava Dhammo, President of the World Alliance of Buddhists (WAB), discussed “The Importance of Buddha Relics”. He noted, “Following Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana about 2567 years ago, his wish was to scatter his ashes into multiple parts so that people could honor him and follow his teachings in the future.”

Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department presented “The Path” coffee table book to the Buddhist monks at Buddhabhoomi Bharat Mandapam, and short films are being screened daily at six major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the state.

The tourism and culture minister said, “Our effort is to attract Buddhist devotees from all over the world to Uttar Pradesh so that they could visit the holy places associated with Lord Buddha as well as other tourist places including Ayodhya, Kashi.”