Bihar's Buddhist sites draw tourists to India

In this previous post, I commented on what a shame it was that Bihar [बिहार], the state in India with the most number of sites associated with early Buddhism, is also one of the poorest. This story from CNN says that the government is trying to change that, with help from Buddhist tourism:

While the state doesn't track religious tourists, officials say the Buddhist trail is increasingly hot. Since 2002, when the Mahabodhi Temple was named a World Heritage site, Bodh Gaya has seen a steady rise in visitors. As India's torrid summer gives way to the monsoon rains and cooler weather in October, they come flocking.

"In the fast-paced lives that people lead, increasingly — perhaps instinctively — there is a trend to discover our inner selves. And most of the tourists who come here are doing so in search of that inner peace," said Rama Shankar Tewari, Bihar's top tourism official.

Tourism authorities are trying to cash in with an ambitious tourist campaign, "Come to India: Walk with the Buddha." As part of that, roads are being re-paved, museums are being refurbished and public restrooms being built or repaired.

I love that slogan: "Come to India: Walk with the Buddha."

Along the Eightfold Path, of course.

南無阿彌陀佛