New Delhi: A special meeting was held via video conferencing between the Indian Embassy in Cambodia, the Union Ministry of Tourism, and Bihar Tourism on Friday to promote tourism under the Buddhist Circuit.
The meeting was attended by Bihar Tourism Department Secretary Dr. Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, along with other departmental officials.
During his presentation, Deore stated that Bihar is a major centre of Buddhism, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
He informed that several projects are underway, including the construction of a corridor in Bodh Gaya; replicas of stupas in Kesariya; the Samyak Stupa in Vaishali; the Pataliputra Karuna Stupa and a Vipassana Centre in Patna; beautification of Venu Van in Rajgir; and the reconstruction of Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur.
The secretary invited Cambodian tourists to visit for 10 to 30 days and proposed collaboration on initiatives such as setting up a Cambodian restaurant in Bodh Gaya, joint branding efforts, the “Know Bihar Program,” and the “Angkor Wat to Bodh Gaya” initiative. The proposals received a positive response, the Bihar Tourism Department said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, around 327 naval officers and personnel from 74 countries visited the historic Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya on Friday, marking a significant moment of international engagement at one of Buddhism’s most revered sites.
The delegation was accorded a warm welcome by members of the temple management committee, senior monks, and local officials. During their visit, the officers paid respects at the sacred Bodhi Tree, the site associated with Lord Buddha’s enlightenment.
They were briefed on the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, including his messages of peace, compassion, and coexistence – principles that continue to resonate globally. The interaction offered the visiting personnel an opportunity to understand the spiritual and cultural importance of Bodh Gaya in greater depth,
Members of the delegation described the visit as spiritually enriching and said it provided meaningful insight into India’s rich civilisational heritage. The officers departed with a message of peace and goodwill, reaffirming Bodh Gaya’s standing as a global spiritual capital.
