Sri Parvathanama “Buddha Vanam” at Nagarjuna Sagar will be developed into a world class Buddhist destination in the near future on par with Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has said. A Special Authority will be set up for the purpose soon, he said.
On the occasion of Buddha Jayanthi, the Chief Minister lit a candle, planted a sapling and paid floral tributes to Lord Buddha at a memorial. He visited a museum also and went round the campus at Buddha Vanam near Sagar.
Speaking on the occasion, KCR vowed to develop the site into a place to be the most sought after destination in the world and asked the officials concerned to take all measures accordingly. KCR said he would soon call a meeting to make Nagarjuna Sagar a world tourist destination by appointing a permanent official for a special authority. Every person who believes in Buddhism should think to make at least a visit to Buddha Vanam at Nagarjuna Sagar, he asserted. The site is spread in 274 acres campus where a Buddhist statue donated by Sri Lanka, will be installed soon, he said. The officials informed him that some structures are under construction, including a tall Sthupa (a tall pillar), a few varieties of replicas of Budcha Stupas noted across the world and a meditation center. They also said they will expand the works towards Krishna River and develop Buddha Vanam. (NSS)