NEWS

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

By BD Dipen | | Buddhistdoor Global

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 India’s 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.

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 India’s 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)