In a bid to promote Balrampur as a key Buddhist tourism destination, the state government, in collaboration with the Lord Buddha Welfare Foundation Bharat, is set to host a two-day International Culture and Tourism Development Yatra in Laal Nagar village. Officials have confirmed that the event, scheduled for March 30 and 31, will be titled the “International Tripitaka Chanting and Dhamma Yatra.”
The event will take place at a site currently being developed as “Dhamma Ka Maha Sangam – International Buddhist Culture and Tourism Park” in partnership with the foundation. The gathering is expected to attract participants not only from across India but also from countries with deep-rooted Buddhist traditions, including Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.
The two-day program will feature the recitation of the Tripitaka (sacred Buddhist scriptures) along with various spiritual and cultural activities. A significant part of the event will be the unveiling of five Buddha statues, each representing a distinct form and mudra—Baby Buddha, Bhumi Sparsha Mudra, Ashirwad Mudra, Maha Parinirvana Mudra, and the Bhikkhuni Sanghamitra statue, which is dedicated to honoring female monks.
Buddhist communities, scholars, spiritual seekers, and tourists from around the world are expected to attend, making it a significant event for promoting Buddhist heritage and tourism.
Officials highlight that this event is part of a broader initiative to develop and promote the Buddhist Circuit, with multiple projects in the pipeline aimed at boosting tourism in the region.
Lord Buddha Welfare Foundation Bharat (LBWFB) is leading the development of the Dhamma Ka Maha Sangam – International Buddhist Culture and Tourism Park in Laal Nagar, Balrampur. According to Divakr Patel, secretary of the foundation, the project has been officially registered with INVEST UP through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“This initiative aims to establish a universal Buddhist pilgrimage site that will preserve, promote, and celebrate the teachings of Lord Buddha, while also contributing to the socio-economic development of the region,” Patel stated.
Shankar Prasad Sharma, Nepal’s Ambassador to India, will be the Chief Guest, while officials from the Embassy of Myanmar will attend as Guests of Honour.
The park’s location is of immense historical and spiritual importance, as it lies along the Buddhist Circuit (NH-730) near Jetavana Maha Vihar in Sravasti, a revered site in Buddhism. The park will feature realistic depictions of sacred Buddhist landmarks, including Bodhi trees and sacred soil collected from prominent pilgrimage sites such as Lumbini (Nepal), Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Sravasti, and Sri Lanka.
The initiative aims to integrate Balrampur into the broader Buddhist tourism network, providing economic opportunities for the region, which remains one of the state’s underdeveloped districts.
As part of the event, attendees can expect meditation sessions, Dhamma discourses by senior monks, and cultural performances. The State Culture Department will fund the payments for the performing artists, ensuring that the event contributes to tourism and cultural preservation in the region.
With growing interest in Buddhist tourism, this event is set to mark a significant step in positioning Balrampur as a key pilgrimage and cultural destination while fostering economic growth through tourism.
