Buddhist pilgrimage is a hot thing in India.
Contributed by Jens Hoffmann
I joined the “International Buddhist Conclave 2016” with stop overs in New Delhi, Varanasi and Bodhgaya.
It was a joyful and colourful experience.
Through the remains of palaces and gardens, treating the sites sanctified long ago by the Buddha’s footsteps, in the eternal ques to untravel the complex truths of life, brilliantly enunciated by the Buddha twenty five century ago.
Often heard but indeed; Incredible India, the birthplace of Buddhism, has a very rich Buddhist heritage.
With several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha which are a must seen for followers of Buddhism the world over.
To show the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India is a project of the Ministry of Tourism in India. All 250 participants enjoyed the opportunity to interact, promote pilgrimage itineraries to the Buddhist sites in the country, for local and overseas visitors.
The International Buddhist Conclave is a great initiative being taken by India as its commitment as the land of origin of Buddhism and to improve the experience of pilgrims as well as tourists wishing to savour the essence of Buddhist heritage, at the Buddhist sites of the country.
It included talks, presentations, panel discussion, exhibition highlighting the Buddhist attractions in India, as well as visits to important Buddhist sites like Bodhgaya and Sarnath.
The participants of the conclave were international journalists, opinion makers, tour operators and tv media, as well as State Governments and domestic tour operators promoting pilgrimages to the Buddhist sites in the country.
250 international delegates comprising tour operators, media representatives and opinion makers from 39 countries are participating in the Conclave.
Enlighted I arrived in seventh heaven; I enjoyed these days very much and got familiar with regions and places in Gujarat, Nalanda, Varanasi.
Extra special thanks to Air India.
Places to stay: The Asok Hotel – New Delhi
The press trip was supported by India Tourism Frankfurt.
Photos: Jens Hoffmann
