**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the Ministry of Tourism's initiatives to promote India’s Buddhist Circuit, primarily targeting the Southeast Asian market. It details various infrastructure development schemes, promotional activities, and capacity-building programs designed to enhance the visitor experience. Key projects sanctioned between 2016 and 2025 across multiple states are highlighted, focusing on improving connectivity and professional services at heritage sites.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Promotional and Marketing Strategies**
* Collaboration with Indian Missions abroad, State/UT administrations, and the travel trade sector to promote Buddhist heritage.
* Conduct of international roadshows, travel trade exhibitions, and familiarization (FAM) tours for foreign operators, media, and influencers.
* Use of digital and social media platforms to target the Southeast Asian source market.
**Infrastructure Development Schemes**
* Implementation of projects under several schemes: Swadesh Darshan (SD) 1.0 & 2.0, PRASHAD, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
* Significant financial allocations include ₹165.44 crore for the Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre in Bodhgaya and ₹80.24 crore for integrated development in Shrawasti.
* Projects span multiple states including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana.
**Connectivity and Travel Services**
* Provision of specialized pilgrimage tour packages via the IRCTC Mahaparinirvan Express train.
* Engagement with tour operators to develop and market specific Buddhist circuit packages for international travelers.
**Capacity Building and Quality Assurance**
* Introduction of the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme to create a professional pool of guides.
* Training focus includes foreign language proficiency, advanced communication skills, service quality, and cultural sensitivity.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments & UT Administrations**
**Impact:**
Recipient of significant central funding and infrastructure support to develop local heritage sites and tourism facilities.
**Action Required:**
Execute and manage sanctioned projects under the various Ministry schemes (SD, CBDD, SASCI) within the designated timelines.
**Travel Trade Sector (Tour Operators, Media, and Influencers)**
**Impact:**
Increased opportunities for business growth through familiarization tours, new tour packages, and government-led marketing support.
**Action Required:**
Promote Buddhist circuit packages to international markets, specifically Southeast Asia, and utilize the specialized IRCTC rail services.
**Tourist Facilitators and Guides**
**Impact:**
Access to professional certification and specialized training, including language and cultural sensitivity courses.
**Action Required:**
Enroll in the IITF Certification Programme and complete advanced/refresher courses to meet the Ministry's service standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Swadesh Darshan (including 2.0): The Ministry of Tourism's flagship scheme for developing theme-based tourist circuits, providing infrastructure and facilities at major Buddhist sites.
National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A central initiative focused on the holistic development of pilgrimage and heritage destinations to enhance the spiritual tourism experience.
Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme: A digital training and certification initiative aimed at creating a pool of professional tourist guides and facilitators to improve visitor services.
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD): A competitive scheme used to sanction projects for enriching Buddhist heritage and developing digital experience centers.
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI): A financial scheme providing capital to state governments for integrated tourism development projects, such as those in Shrawasti.
Ministry of Tourism
ATTRACTING TOURISTS TO BUDDHIST
CIRCUITS
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 4:19PM by PIB Delhi
Southeast Asia, with its significant Buddhist population, constitutes an important source market for the
Buddhist Circuit in India. To promote the Buddhist heritage along with other destinations and products the
Ministry carries out various promotional activities in association with Indian Missions abroad, State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations and the travel trade sector. These include organisation of
tourism roadshows, participation in international travel trade exhibitions, fairs and events; conduct of
familiarization (FAM) tours for foreign tour operators, media and influencers; engagement with local tour
operators and other stakeholders; and promotion through digital and social media platforms.
For development of tourism infrastructure at tourist sites, including the Buddhist Circuit, the Ministry of
Tourism implements projects under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, National
Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Challenge
Based Destination Development (CBDD), Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
and Assistance to Central Agencies. The details of projects sanctioned under these schemes at Buddhist
sites, with particular reference to Bihar and adjoining regions, are placed at Annexure.
In addition, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers specialised pilgrimage
tour packages connecting major Buddhist destinations through the Mahaparinirvan Express train. The
Ministry also engages with tour operators and other stakeholders, who in turn promote tour packages to
Buddhist circuits, including in South East Asian market.
To enhance visitor experience at tourist sites in the country including the Buddhist sites the Ministry has
instituted the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme to create a pool of well-
trained and professional tourist facilitators/guides, including those trained in foreign languages. The
programme also includes advanced and refresher courses aimed at improving communication, service
quality and cultural sensitivity.
ANNEXURE
Details of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan (SD) 2.0, ‘Challenge
Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
schemes at Buddhist sites in Bihar and adjoining areas
S. State/ Scheme Sanction Name of the Project Amount
Year Sanctioned
No. UT
(in ₹ Crore)1. Andhra SD 2017-18 Development of Buddhist 35.24
Pradesh Circuit: Shalihundam-
Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda -
Amravati- Anupu
2. Andhra CBDD 2024-25 Enriching Buddhist Heritage 25.00
Pradesh and Cultural Experiences at
Nagarjuna Sagar at Nagarjuna
Sagar
3. Bihar SD 2016-17 Development of Buddhist 95.18
circuit- Construction of
Convention Centre at
Bodhgaya
4. Bihar SD 2.0 2024-25 Buddhist Meditation & 165.44
Experience Centre in
Bodhgaya
5. Gujarat SD 2017-18 Development of Junagadh- Gir 26.68
Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch-
Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana
6. Madhya SD 2016-17 Development of Sanchi-Satna- 74.02
Pradesh Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar
7. Uttar SD 2016-17 Development of Srawasti, 87.89
Pradesh Kushinagar, &Kapilwastu
8. Uttar SASCI 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist Tourism 80.24
Pradesh Development in Shrawasti
9. Telangana CBDD 2024-25 Buddhavanam – Development 24.85
of Digital Experience Centre
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in
a written reply in Rajya Sabha today
***
M Annadurai
(Release ID: 2248380) Visitor Counter : 73
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