Bhubaneswar: Seeking to place Odisha firmly on the global Buddhist tourism map, the state govt on Wednesday signed an agreement with Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara at Jirang in Gajapati district to promote spiritual tourism and showcase the state’s rich Buddhist heritage.The MoU was signed in the presence of deputy chief minister and tourism minister Pravati Parida, minister for Odia language, literature and culture, sports and youth services and higher education Suryabanshi Suraj, chief secretary Anu Garg and Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, president of Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, Jirang.The initiative comes as the state seeks to leverage its vast but relatively under-promoted Buddhist legacy, which spans ancient sites such as Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri in Jajpur district, along with the Tibetan Buddhist settlement and monastery at Jirang, often referred to as the ‘Little Tibet of Odisha’.Deputy chief minister Parida, who holds the tourism portfolio, said Buddhist heritage is among the state’s greatest cultural assets and holds immense potential for tourism development. “The collaboration reflects the govt’s commitment to preserving this timeless legacy while creating authentic spiritual experiences for visitors from across the world,” she said, expressing confidence that the partnership would strengthen Odisha’s position as a leading destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural tourism.Under the agreement, the govt and the monastery will jointly develop spiritual and experiential tourism programmes, including meditation retreats, monastic immersion experiences, spiritual learning initiatives and pilgrimage activities aimed at both domestic and international visitors. The partnership will also focus on promoting Buddhist scholarship through international conferences, research collaborations, academic exchanges and knowledge-sharing initiatives.Higher education and culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the state’s Buddhist traditions represent a unique confluence of history, philosophy and living culture, adding that the initiative would help preserve the state’s heritage while encouraging greater public engagement with its Buddhist legacy. The agreement would provide fresh momentum to the development of the Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri-Jirang Buddhist circuit, envisioned as a world-class heritage and pilgrimage destination with a focus on conservation, visitor experience and sustainable tourism, he added.Chief secretary Anu Garg said the initiative reflects the govt’s integrated approach towards heritage conservation, cultural preservation and tourism development. It could help the state carve out a distinct identity as a destination offering a blend of ancient Buddhist heritage, living monastic traditions and spiritual experiences.
