NEWS

Indian State of Maharashtra to Develop Ajanta and Ellora for Buddhist Tourism

By BD Dipen
Buddhistdoor Global | 2018-09-21 |
Ellora is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world. From atlasobscura.comEllora is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world. From atlasobscura.com

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corp. (MTDC), under the government of the Indian state of Maharashtra, has drawn up a plan to make the Buddhist heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora iconic tourist and pilgrimage destinations along India’s growing Buddhist circuit.

To put Ajanta and Ellora on the international Buddhist tourism map, MTDC co-organised the 6th International Buddhist Conclave 2018 in Aurangabad, in association with Indias  Ministry of Tourism. The conclave, which took place on 23–26 August, was attended by Buddhist delegates, monks, and officials from more than 12 Buddhist-populated countries.* 

Ajanta and Ellora are UNESCO World Heritage Sites situated 29 km and 107 km, respectively, from the city of Aurangabad. Ajanta consists of 30 rock-cut caves built between the 2nd and 5th centuries. They contain some of the rarest and finest surviving examples of ancient Buddhist religious art—in particular, rock paintings. Ellora comprises 34 rock-cut caves, built between the 5th and 10th centuries, housing monasteries and temples of three religious traditions: Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.  

Buddha statues in one of the Buddhist caves in Ellora. From myupscprelims.blogspot.comBuddha statues in one of the Buddhist caves in Ellora. From myupscprelims.blogspot.com

The delegates present at the conclave in Aurangabad, which sought to encourage tourism industry players to invest in the potential of the Buddhist circuit, visited some of Indias main Buddhist attractions, including Ajanta.

“Buddhist tourism is a growing sector and the International Buddhist Conclave will help us understand its potential and opportunities to promote Buddhist sites in the state,” said Jaykumar Rawal, minister of tourism for the government of Maharashtra, on the importance of Buddhist tourism. “I am certain through this initiative Maharashtra will be able to encourage Buddhist travelers from across the world. The Ministry of Tourism has also recognized stupas and viharas across the country and is planning to develop these Buddhist Circuits,” he added. (Financial Express)

The Ajanta Caves comprise about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments. From quora.comThe Ajanta Caves comprise about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments. From quora.com

Maharashtra is home to numerous prominent Buddhist heritage sites. In addition to the aforementioned Ajanta and Ellora UNESCO sites, it is also home to the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Gorai, a stupa in Nalasopara, and the Kanheri Caves in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. 

Following the conclave, MTDC received a government grant of 50 million rupees (US$690,000) for the refurbishment and repair of the visitor centers at Ajanta and Ellora. The grant will also be used to pay water and electricity bills for the centers. According to The Times of India, MTDC did not have the funds to pay its electricity and water bills after funding the contruction of the visitor centers, and its electricity supply has been cut off since November 2017.

“After 2017, the visitor centers were being run with bare minimum costs to lessen the financial burden,” said a Maharashtra tourism department official. Still, we could not pay the electricity dues.” (The Times of India)

A hall inside the Ajanta Caves. From timesofindia.indiatimes.comA hall inside the Ajanta Caves. From timesofindia.indiatimes.com

To appeal to Buddhist pilgrims and tourists, the goverment of Maharashtra is planning to partner with the KJ Somaiya Center for Buddhist Studies in Mumbai to design tour packages.

“Our aim is to extend the prospects of Buddhist tourism around the world by inspiring travelers to understand the rich inheritance through shrines and centers in Maharashtra,” said MTDC managing director Suhas Diwase. “I believe that the Buddhist circuits in the state will be of interest to travelers who are looking for unique experiences in their journey to discover Lord Buddha’s voyage and attainment of nirvana.” (Financial Express)

* Buddhistdoor Global’s senior writer attedend the conclave. Read his articles:
        Sixth International Buddhist Conclave Begins in New Delhi (
Buddhistdoor Global)
        Buddhism and India – The Child Returns Home . . . ? (Buddhistdoor Global)

See more

Aurangabad’s ‘Ajanta and Ellora’ can become a hotspot for Buddhist Tourism (The Economic Times)
Rs 5 crore grant for repair works at Ajanta and Ellora visitors’ centres (The Times of India)
Ajanta, Ellora visitor centres’ lights out over unpaid bills  (The Times of India)
Aurangabad to host 6th International Buddhist Conclave 2018 tomorrow (Financial Express)

Related news from Buddhistdoor Global

Air Pollution Levels Threaten Birthplace of the Buddha
Indonesia Aims to Boost Spiritual Tourism at Borobudur Buddhist Temple
Dunhuang Airport to Close for Expansion as Popularity of Mogao Caves Takes Off
Tourism Boom Threatens to Turn “Little Lhasa” into a Concrete Jungle

Related features from Buddhistdoor Global

Ajanta - A Portrait of Faith
Buddhist Tourism in West Bengal and Bangladesh: An Untapped Resource
Diplomacy, Heritage, and Cultural Pride: Reviving the Buddhist Legacy of Islamic Pakistan
Buddhistdoor View—One Belt, One Road: Ideas for Buddhist Dialogue across Eurasia
The Kanheri Caves, Mumbai: A Precious Monument to Buddhist Civilization

Please support our work
Comments:
    More Comments
    Share your thoughts:
    Reply to:
    Name: *
    Content: *
    Captcha: *
     
    I have read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of the buddhistdoor global website.
    Back to Top