Lucknow: The Royal Government of Bhutan is set to build a Buddhist monastery and a pilgrim guest house in Sarnath, a move aimed at strengthening cultural ties and boosting Buddhist tourism in Uttar Pradesh. To facilitate the project, the Uttar Pradesh government has leased out two acres of land at a nominal annual rent of just one rupee per year. The lease agreement will remain in effect for a period of 30 years.
The land transfer documents were officially handed over to a delegation from Bhutan by Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh during a ceremony held in Lucknow on Wednesday. Senior officials from both sides were present on the occasion.
“This initiative is expected to enhance the state’s growing appeal among international Buddhist travelers and deepen the cultural bonds between India and Bhutan,” Minister Singh said. He added, “The complex will serve Bhutanese monks, pilgrims, and visitors traveling along Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist circuit, while also improving facilities for foreign tourists visiting Sarnath.”
Significance of Sarnath in Buddhism
Additional Chief Secretary of Tourism and Culture, Amrit Abhijat, highlighted the importance of Sarnath. “Sarnath holds special significance in Buddhism as the site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The destination attracts pilgrims from across Asia and is one of the key stops on Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist tourism circuit,” he said.
Agreement Signing Ceremony
The agreement was signed in Lucknow in the presence of the tourism and culture minister and a Bhutanese delegation led by Tashi Peldon, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi. Also present were Chimi Wangmo, Minister Counsellor (Finance) at the embassy, and Ugen Namgyel, Joint Secretary of Indo-Bhutan Monastic Affairs at the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.
Facilities and Cultural Exchange
Officials stated that the Bhutanese monastery and guest house would provide accommodation and religious facilities for pilgrims, while also serving as a center for cultural and spiritual exchanges between India and Bhutan. They added that the state government has been actively working to strengthen Buddhist tourism infrastructure through improved connectivity and visitor facilities at major destinations such as Kushinagar, Sarnath, Shravasti, and Sankisa.
Broader Tourism Strategy
The agreement is part of a broader strategy by the Yogi Adityanath government to position Uttar Pradesh as a global Buddhist tourism hub. The state aims to attract greater participation from Buddhist-majority nations and create a more integrated pilgrimage network across the region.
