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Tourism dept plans walk along Buddha’s last journey

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Shailvee ShardaShailvee Sharda,TNN
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May 5, 2015, 01.32 AM ISTLUCKNOW: Followers of Gautam Buddha may soon get chance to track a section of his last journey in a walk proposed by the state tourism department. The 15km walk, known as Gachchhami Parikrama, would cover Buddha’s life from the time he entered a place called Pawanagar to reach Kushinagar for mahaparinirvana (salvation). Once in place, the heritage trail would allow visitors to go to places mentioned in the ‘Mahaparinirvanasutta’, a chronicle of Buddha’s journey from Vaishali to Kushinara.

The walk is being developed on the lines of walks in Galicia, Spain and World Bank is financially and technically supporting the project.

As per the legend, Buddha started from Vaishali where he told the people that this was his final journey. As a result, locals in Vaishali started following Buddha who was spotted in Kesharia. While some stopped, others continued. Buddha stopped again and turned to show a miracle. To deter the followers, he created the illusion of a river. When people didn’t relent, he gave them his begging bowl and told them to retreat.

Pawanagar was the next halt. Here, he took shelter in a mango grove whose owner offered him food. At this place, Buddha chose one dish and said no one except him else would consume it. He also directed people to bury the leftovers.

It is believed the host served pork to Buddha and soon after, he took ill. Still Buddha kept moving further and crossed a river called Kukutha to finally reach Kushinara. Pawanagar, on Monday, is a Kushinagar’s Fazilnagar area.

“The trail would link at least 10 places between Pawanagar and mahaparinirvana stupa,” officials stated who also revealed that World Bank has engaged team of consultants including Shantam Seth, an expert in Buddhist studies for the purpose.

“The path is highly significant for Buddha’s devotees especially the ones who come from abroad. More than eight lakh tourists visit Kushinagar every year including 10% foreigners,” said Amrit Abhijhat, director general UP Tourism. He informed that tourist infrastructure would be raised in all along the route which will create jobs for locals. This, he said, is the aim of pro-poor tourism.

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