States » EastPosted at: Sep 20 2026 3:53PM


28-member Thai delegation visits Bodh Gaya on Bihar tourism familiarisation tour

Patna, Sep 20 (UNI) A 28-member delegation from Thailand, visiting Bihar under the state Tourism Department's familiarisation tour programme "FAM Tour of Lotus Triangle Travel to Land of Enlightenment", on Sunday visited the world-famous Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya.
The delegation, which is touring the Buddhist circuit, offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple and experienced the spiritual significance of the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world's most important pilgrimage and spiritual centres for followers of Buddhism. The Thai visitors expressed reverence at the sacred site where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
Special Secretary-cum-Director, Tourism, Udayan Mishra said the state government was giving special attention to the development and promotion of sites associated with the Buddhist circuit and to ensuring a better experience for international tourists.
He said the visit by the Thai delegation would help promote Bihar's Buddhist heritage globally and give further impetus to tourism and cultural ties between India and Thailand.
Members of the Thai delegation described their visit to Bodh Gaya as an unforgettable experience. They said being present at the site of Buddha's enlightenment was spiritually significant and deeply emotional. The peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of the Mahabodhi Temple complex particularly impressed them.
The delegation also visited Dungreshwari Hills, Sujata Temple and Sujata Stupa in Bodh Gaya. It further visited the Thai Temple, the Archaeological Survey of India museum and the 80-foot Buddha statue.
The tourism department has designed the tour to familiarise international visitors with Bihar's Buddhist, historical and cultural heritage. During the visit, the delegation is also being introduced to the state's rich heritage, local culture and hospitality.
The visit is aimed at further strengthening the shared Buddhist heritage and longstanding spiritual and cultural ties between India and Thailand. The tour, which began in Bodh Gaya, will continue to Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali and Patna.
On September 21, the delegation is scheduled to visit the Dashrath Manjhi Memorial at Gehlaur, Rajgir Nature Safari and the Glass Bridge. In Nalanda, it will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, while in Rajgir, the itinerary includes the World Peace Pagoda, Venu Van and other major attractions.
The delegation will subsequently visit the Relic Stupa, World Peace Pagoda and Ashokan Pillar at Kolhua in Vaishali. The final leg of the tour will include a meeting with local tourism stakeholders in Patna.
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