To draw Buddhist tourists from across the world, Odisha Tourism, in association with Utkal University of Culture and Odishan Institute of Maritime and South-East Asian Studies, recently organised a three-day International Conference on Buddhist Heritage at Udaigiri in the Jajpur district of Odisha. The Conference was attended by 20 international delegates from USA, Sri Lanka, Poland, Nepal, Japan, Bhutan and UK, along with 65 national delegates. A total of 1,547 domestic and 66 foreign tourists also attended the meet.
Inaugurating the conference, Maheswar Mohanty, Tourism and Culture Minister, Odisha, said that the Conference was aimed at highlighting the neglected Buddhist sites and treasures of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, considered as the Buddhist Golden Triangle of Odisha, and promoting tourism to these areas. Addressing the gathering, Mohanty said 108 of the 324 sites found in Odisha are the remnants of Buddhist establishments in the form of Stupas, Chaityas or Monastic Complexes.
“Lalitgiri, Udayagiri, Ratnagiri and Langudi are among the 19 Buddhist sites in the state that have been excavated. In the midst of tranquil natural ambience, these places wait to serve the humanity. There is a need to highlight the cultural heritage and the natural beauty of Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Ratnagiri, considered the Buddhist Diamond Triangle,” said Mohanty.
A K Tripathy, Principal Secretary (Tourism), Govt. Of Odisha, highlighted the state government’s commitment towards the aggressive promotion of Buddhist tourism in the domestic and international sectors. He hopes for a surge of tourist traffic from South East Asian countries once the Bhubaneswar airport is opened for the international sector. Foreign scholars like Eminent US Historian T. Donaldson and Chitta Baral, Professor, Arizona University, were of the opinion that adequate research work and excavations are required to bring to light more significant aspects and hidden sculptural and architectural deposits of Buddhism.
The Conference discussed subjects such as Buddhist philosophy and schools of thought, Buddhist Remains of Odisha, Buddhism for International Peace and Relevance of Buddhism in the 21st century, Buddhist art, Iconography and Architecture, and Buddhist Vestiges and Tourism. “The topics for discussion were important and suitable. For example, higher education and promotion of Buddhist practices are crucial for the religion. The event was attended by more than 110 overseas guests, 25 Indian tour operators, many international Buddhist scholars and others,” said Amiya Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture.
“It is time for Odisha to undertake major excavations so that more ancient sites can come to light. The state is a rich repository of Buddhist sites,” said J K Patnaik, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist of ASI, and added that the ASI had thus far discovered a number of sites, but there is far more under the earth. Delivering the Valedictory Address, Odisha Governor M C Bhandare said the meet will go a long way in boosting the rich Buddhist heritage of Odisha.
