INDIA is planning to extend its visa on arrival (VOA) facility to Buddhist pilgrims from Thailand and Malaysia, as part of an initiative to promote Buddhist tourism in the country.
Speaking at last week’s International Buddhist Conclave in Varanasi, India’s tourism minister, Subodh Kant Sahai, said: “India, being the land of origin of Buddhism, is the main attraction for Buddhist tourists from across the globe. We are drawing up plans to attract more tourists from Buddhist countries like Thailand and Malaysia by providing them special facilities such as visas on arrival.”
Meanwhile, India’s Tourism Ministry has also identified three new Buddhist circuits for development.
The first, the Dharmayatra or Sacred Circuit, is a five- to seven-day tour including visits to Gaya (Bodhgaya), Varanasi (Sarnath), Kushinagar and Piparva (Kapilvastu), and a day trip to Lumbini in Nepal.
The second, Extended Dharmayatra or Retracing Buddha’s Footsteps, is a 10-15 day itinerary including visits to Gaya (Nalanda, Rajgir, Barabar caves, Pragbodhi Hill, Bodhgaya), Patna (Vaishali, Lauriya Nandangarh, Lauriya Ariraj, Kesariya, Patna Museum), Varanasi (Sarnath), Kushinagar and Piparva (Kapilvastu, Shravasti, Saniska), with a day trip to Lumbini.
The third is the Buddhist Heritage Trails State Circuits, covering Jammu and Kashmir – Ladakh, Srinagar and Jammu; and Himachal Pradesh – Dharamshala, Spiti, Kinnaur and Lahaul.
Mahaparinirvan Express train journeys will also encompass new Buddhist attractions in Odisha.
Yupha Moonsarn, director, Virgo Virgin Tours Bangkok, said: “The interest of Thai tourists in visiting India is increasing, and the introduction of VOA and new Buddhist circuits will increase demand by 100 per cent in the next two to three years.”
