Over the last few years, India has been aggressively marketing itself as a Buddhist tourism destination. The results have begun to show, but a lot more needs to be done to optimise the potential.
For centuries, India has attracted tourists from Asia, keen on visiting the numerous sites and centres of Buddhism, spread across the country. Back in the 3rd century AD, Fa Hien (or Faxian) became the first Chinese Buddhist monk to visit India in search of greater knowledge about Buddha and to visit the monasteries to learn more about Buddhism from the monks in India. Over several years, he travelled extensively all over India, visiting key centres of Buddhism, which was flourishing at the moment, and he penned his experiences which have today become a great source of information about India and Buddhism in that era.
Fa Hien was followed by many other visitors from various parts of Asia, notably his own countryman, Hiuen Tsang (or Xuanzang) in the 7th century AD, who spent nearly 20 years tracing the path of Buddhism and learning in great centres such as the Nalanda university in today’s Bihar. His travelogues have also become a global source of information about Buddhism of the period as well as the state of the Indian society.
But barring these famous and scholarly visitors, India has not really been flooded by a mass of Buddhists, living mainly all over Asia. This was partly due to the fact that India woke up to Buddhist tourism rather late in the day, only about a decade ago, when the idea that Buddhism could be a strong marketing plank for promoting tourism to India.
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Eat, Pray and Art, at Little Lhasa
McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetans, offers an eclectic mix of Indian and Tibetan cultures, which exist in this small town dominated by Buddhism preachers and tap-toed by foreign tourists.
City of Joy: Resonance of Kolkata's Heartbeats
To discover Kolkata, the pearl of East India, with its beautiful colonial buildings, its poetry that impregnates every segment of life, even a simple conversation in a small coffee house, and its religious and spiritual syncretism, start your journey on the water, along the Ganges. The river flows through the city and is its source of life.
Focus On Niche Tourism And Infrastructure
With increased tourist arrivals in India, the Ministry of Tourism is working to build strategies, including focus on niche tourism areas like cruise, golf and adventure. Amidst everything, improvement in tourism infrastructure is the key, says Verma.
Bringing Jammu To The Forefront
Jammu has for long been the neglected part of the state ofJammu and Kashmir. However, now Jammu Tourism is pushing the destination,not only for spiritual travel, but also MICE, adventure, entertainment, and eco-tourism, says Priya Sethi.
It's Off The Beaten Track For Himachal
Himachal Pradesh has some of the best tourist hotspots in India attracting foreign and domestic tourists alike. With Shimla, Kulu, Manali, and Dharamshala, being over-explored by both domestic as well as international tourists, Himachal Pradesh Tourism is now looking at newer and offbeat destinations to offer enhanced experiences, primarily targeting adventure tourists.
Shimla: At Peace, Amidst All The Action
Stroll down one of the longest pedestrian shopping stretches in the world, or climb for a heritage walk. Get enveloped in a blanket of mist as you speed down a zip line, while the sky is changing from a deep orange to ebony black.
Jammu: Beyond The Spiritual Calling
The state of Jammu & Kashmir brings together contrasting worlds, one of them being the division of Jammu in the south. As the epicentre of socio-economic activities, Jammu is a rail hub and a major draw for domestic pilgrims, as well as heritage lovers.
Following Buddha's Footprints
Over the last few years, India has been aggressively marketing itself as a Buddhist tourism destination. The results have begun to show, but a lot more needs to be done to optimise the potential.
Unique and Vibrant in its Creation,but on the Verge of Extinction
Miniature painting art of Udaipur is one of the unique and distinct art forms of India. The artists draw the religious manuscripts and illustrations of mythological epics. Miniature painting art used to be the royal art and confined to the kings of the time, resulted in less attention in the contemporary world of art which has to some extent lead it onto the verge of extinction.
Women In Blue Strike And Not Out!
Interest in women’s cricket in India has peaked following their brilliant performance at the recent Women’s World Cup while the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled a new research that shows the scale of the impact this summer’s Cricket World Cup has had on fans and new participants.
