THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JULY 15, 2026
Emphasising that
Odisha's rich Buddhist legacy is one of the State's greatest cultural treasures
and a key driver of tourism, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday
said the State Government is committed to preserving and promoting its timeless
heritage while creating authentic spiritual experiences for visitors from
across the world. She was speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Tourism, the Department of Odia
Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha, and Guru
Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, Jirang, at Lok Seva Bhawan, here.
The partnership marks
a significant step towards strengthening Odisha's vision of emerging as a
globally recognised destination for Buddhist heritage, spirituality,
scholarship and cultural tourism.
The MoU was signed in
the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women & Child
Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, Pravati Parida; Minister for Odia
Language, Literature & Culture, Sports & Youth Services and Higher
Education, Suryabanshi Suraj; Chief Secretary Anu Garg; and Gyetrul Jigme
Rinpoche, President of Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, Jirang, along with
senior government officials, members of the monastic community and other distinguished
guests.
Addressing the
gathering, Parida described Odisha's Buddhist heritage as an invaluable
cultural asset and a major pillar of the State's tourism potential. She said
the collaboration reflects the Government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding
this historic legacy while promoting immersive spiritual and cultural
experiences for pilgrims, scholars and tourists. She expressed confidence that
the initiative would further establish Odisha as a premier international
destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural tourism.
Minister Suryabanshi
Suraj said Odisha's Buddhist traditions embody a unique blend of history,
philosophy and living culture. He noted that the collaboration would not only
contribute to conserving the State's invaluable heritage but also encourage
research, cultural exchanges and greater public engagement with Odisha's
Buddhist legacy, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Chief Secretary Anu
Garg congratulated the Departments of Tourism and Odia Language, Literature
& Culture for undertaking the landmark initiative. She said the partnership
demonstrates the Government's integrated approach towards heritage
conservation, cultural preservation and sustainable tourism, while creating new
opportunities for promoting Odisha's unique identity on the global stage.
The MoU lays down a comprehensive framework for collaboration to develop authentic spiritual and experiential tourism programmes, including meditation retreats, spiritual learning initiatives, monastic immersion experiences and pilgrimage activities. It also envisages promoting Buddhist scholarship through international conferences, research, academic collaborations and knowledge exchange.
A major focus of the agreement is the integrated development of the Ratnagiri–Udayagiri–Lalitgiri–Jirang Buddhist Circuit as a world-class heritage, pilgrimage and cultural destination. The initiative aims to enhance heritage conservation, improve visitor experience and promote sustainable tourism while showcasing Odisha's profound Buddhist legacy to the global community.
