Prayagraj: In order to establish Kaushambi as a major hub for Buddhist tourism, the state government is constructing a state-of-the-art Vipassana centre under the ‘Buddha Theme Park’ project. Its construction will foster the growth of religious tourism among the sites included in the Buddhist Circuit. This project is a crucial component of the state government’s major initiative to place the state’s Buddhist tourism sites on the global map.Kaushambi, the city of the Tathagata (Lord Buddha), holds a distinct place on the tourism map due to its historical and spiritual significance. As part of the Buddhist Circuit, it serves as a major centre of faith for Buddhist followers. The Yogi government, which is actively promoting religious tourism, is developing the area as a ‘Tathagata Tirth’ (pilgrimage site). As part of this effort, a Vipassana centre is being developed.District tourism officer (Kaushambi), Kirtiman Srivastava said that a Vipassana centre is being constructed in the district’s Kosam village at a cost of ₹13.25 crore. “The tender process for this is currently underway, with CNDS serving as the executing agency overseeing the project. The centre is primarily being built for tourists and meditation practitioners from India and abroad, enabling them to practice ‘Vipassana’—Lord Buddha’s ancient meditation technique—in a peaceful environment,” he added.Kaushambi is a highly sacred centre of Buddhism. It is believed that after attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha spent the sixth and ninth Chaumasa (monsoon retreats) of his life here. The historic ‘Ghoshitaram Vihara’ here still evokes memories of the Buddhist discipline and spiritual practice of that era. The setting up of the Vipassana centre on this sacred land will enhance Kaushambi’s importance within the global Buddhist Circuit. The authorities are undertaking construction work —including a Buddha theme park, a gate complex, a tourist facility centre, and a meditation centre—spanning an area of approximately 11 hectares at a cost of ₹68 crore. Moreover, a 51-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha in a meditative posture is being installed within the park complex.Apart from Kaushambi, several other prominent and active Vipassana centres operate in Uttar Pradesh, hosting 10-day and other residential meditation courses throughout the year. Among these is the ‘Dhamma Lakkhan’ centre in Lucknow, spread across a serene, lush green area of approximately 8 acres. The ‘Dhamma Kalyana’ centre is located near Ruma in Kanpur, situated on the banks of Ganga and this centre features modern single-room accommodation for 190 practitioners. There is also a Vipassana meditation centre in Shravasti, located near the Jetavana archaeological site. Another centre, ‘Dhamma Suvasa’, is situated in Kushinagar. As this is the site of Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, the experience of meditating here is truly special. Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, which is home to the fifth Vipassana centre. The centre in Kaushambi is set to become the sixth major Vipassana centre in the state.
