Tour operators want train to link Buddhist centres

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Orissa (HRAO) has urged Union Railways minister Laloo Prasad Yadav to introduce a thematic train between Bodhgaya and Bhubaneswar integrating the rich Buddhist circuits of both the states in the course of his coming budget presentation.

Modelled on "Palace on Wheels", the train could be called "Nirvana, peace,pagoda or Buddha on wheels", it suggested.

In a letter to Yadav, JK Mohanty, chairman, HRAO said, the train may be aesthetically designed as a moving museum of Buddhist culture with visuals of Buddhist monuments, life history of Lord Buddha, Ashokan epics and folklores.

An exclusive compartment may be earmarked for the purpose. The moving train enroute its stoppages between Bodhgaya and Bhubaneswar will attract many visitors and culture loving people, he argued.

Mohanty further proposed that the food served in the train may be kept compatible to Buddhist cult. Besides, a library on Buddhism may be provided in it.

Stating that both Bihar and Orissa share a strong cultural bond, particularly in the sector of Buddhist monuments, Mohanty said, though tourists from different parts of the world are keen to visit the Buddhist sites in two states, hindrance of communication has proved to be a major bottleneck in this regard.

If Bihar has Bodhgaya, an unique Buddhist destination, the Diamond Triangle consisting of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Dhauligiri - the White Pagoda near Bhubaneswar in Orissa occupy significant positions in the Buddhist tourist circuit, he pointed out.

He rued that while the North-Eastern states are profoundly benefited through Hill Tourism Council, tourism promotion activity in Bihar, Orissa and Bengal has not gained momentum for lack of adequate central assistance.

He said, "Palace on Wheels" in Rajasthan has been a grand success contributing to hyperable growth in the tourists influx to that state. In this, context, the introduction of a similar train linking Buddhist sites of Bihar and Orissa may prove to be a turning point for both the states, he hoped.