The Hindu Business Line : Move for Buddhist tourism circuit in AP

WHEN thousands of Buddhists turn up for the international conference Kalachakra at Amaravathi in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh during early 2006, they could have a glimpse of some of the popular Buddhist sites, renovated and spruced up with tourist amenities.

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation plans to develop a Buddhist Circuit in phases, connecting some of the 140 sites across the State.

The idea is to attract tourists from India and abroad, showcasing the rich cultural, religious and historical importance associated with the sites, some of them even date back to third and fifth centuries AD.

"We are considering recommendations in a Tata Consultancy Services report on the issue of development of the circuit," a Government official told Business Line.

The sites give a panoramic view of the Buddhist history through third century to 14th century. Of the 140, 52 major ones such as Kalingapatnam, Ramatirtham, Pithapuram, Bavikonda Ghantasala, Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda have been identified.

To begin with, Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda, two of the most popular Buddhist sites, would be developed. Work on these would be completed by December end. Amaravathi, one of the four renowned Buddhist centres of learning in the country, is located near `Dhanyakataka', the capital of Satavahana rulers. The site would have an Interpretation Centre to display the art and culture of Satavahana dynasty.

The Corporation also took up construction of `Sriparvata Arama', a Buddhist Theme Park, at Nagarjuna Sagar at a cost of Rs 8.75 crore. The park would focus on the themes of life and preachings of Gautama Buddha, life of Acharya Nagarjuna and Ikshvaku dynasty. It would also have replicas of stupas from different countries, facility to depict Jataka tales and park for meditation.

The State's rich Buddhist heritage, that encompassed the three phases of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana, had long remained in textbooks or even if it got some prominence it was focussed on a few sites.

The official also reminded that the State was home to great figures such as Buddhaghosha, Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Asanga, Vashubandhu and Dharmakirti.

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