Buddhavanam beckons at Nalgonda
Coming up at Nagarjuna Sagar in Nalgonda, it is the first of its kind and the largest Buddhist Heritage theme park in the world
Hyderabad: Taking Telangana on to the global Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, the iconic Buddhavanam project at Nagarjuna Sagar in Nalgonda is all set for a launch in a few days with a few last minute touch up works to be completed in a week.
The project is the first of its kind and the largest Buddhist Heritage theme park in the world, officials said. With the aim of boosting tourism prospects and drawing national and international tourists, especially from South East Asian countries, the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation initiated the project ‘Buddhavanam – a Buddhist Theme Park’.
The highlight of the project is that it comprises eight segments that are developed based on Buddhist concepts including Buddhacharitavanam, Jataka Park, Stupa Park, Dhyanavanam, Mahastupa, Acharya Nagarjuna International Centre for higher Buddhist learning, Lower Krishna Valley Park and Buddhism in Telangana. These apart, there is an entrance plaza, cottages, food courts and other amenities for visitors.
The project was launched in 2003-04, prior to State bifurcation and the government had alienated 274.28 acres at Nandikonda village in Nalgonda in favour of the Tourism Development Corporation for executing the project.
The Central government had released Rs 29.75 crore and the State government spent about Rs 9.50 crore. However, financial constraints slowed down the project since 2011 after Telangana’s formation and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s visit to the project on the occasion of the 2559th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations on May 4, 2015, the project was back on track.
“He was impressed with the project and directed the officials to develop infrastructure in and around Nagarjuna Sagar with a special focus on Buddhavanam in the area overlooking the reservoir,” said Mallepalli Laxmaiah, Special Officer, Buddhavanam Project.
The Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 25 crore for completion of the remaining work. An expert committee was constituted with eminent Buddhist scholars, architects, historians and State government officials to take up the developmental works of the project. Sandeep Kamble, an eminent Buddhist architect, was appointed as the Interior Dome consultant.
Since inception of the project, Rs 65.14 crore has been spent on the project, out of which Rs 25 crore was the share by the Telangana government alone, points out Laxmaiah, adding that even during the lockdown, the work went on. Since it is an isolated place, workers continued with the project and all necessary amenities like food and accommodation were arranged for them.
International organisations evince interest
The Buddhavanam project is already creating interest among different international organisations, apart from arrivals of foreign tourists. Annually, close to 200 to 300 foreign tourists are already visiting the project and the arrivals are set to increase further in the future.
Already, four international and national Buddhist organisations are willing to set up universities and monasteries.
Once these organisations are set up, it will aid in boosting tourism prospects in the State and take Telangana onto the global Buddhist pilgrimage circuit. Many students will be staying in the universities and training centres and this will improve local economy and boost employment. More importantly, local resources will be put to optimum use, adds Laxmaiah.
Four organisations that are willing to invest
– DXN (Malaysia) plans to set up Buddhist University with Rs 200 crore investment
– Taiwan’s Fo Gaung Shan Cultural Education Centre plans to set up Buddhist Monastic Education Centre with Rs 64.10 crore investment
– Maha Bodhi Society (Bengaluru) for setting up monastery monks with Rs 20.49 crore
– Lotus Nikko Hotels (New Delhi) for a budget hotel with Rs 42 crore
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