Page 25 - NIS - English, 01-15 January 2023
P. 25
Development and Legacy Cover Story
SOLAR ENERGY POWERING BUDDHIST CIRCUIT:
OUR HERITAGE NOW ON AIR MAP
MODHERA SUN TEMPLE, KONARK TEMPLE
n Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the
Kushinagar International Airport on October 20,
2021. Tourist arrivals are expected to increase
by 20% once the airport becomes operational.
This will create more employment opportunities
for the locals.
n Kushinagar is an international Buddhist
pilgrimage centre where Lord Gautam Buddha
attained Mahaparinirvana. It is also the focal
point of the Buddhist circuit, which includes
the pilgrimage centres of Lumbini, Sarnath, and
Gaya.
n The Central Government is developing a
Buddhist Circuit for Buddhist sites associated
with Lord Buddha. The main development works
under the Buddhist Circuit include connectivity,
infrastructure, and logistics; cultural research;
heritage and education; public awareness; and
n Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated communication and outreach.
Heritage Lighting on October 9, 2022, at the Sun n With this airport, more and more followers of
Temple in Modhera, Gujarat. The Sun Temple at Buddhism from within country and abroad
Modhera is one of the finest examples of temple will be able to come to Kushinagar. This will
architecture in Gujarat. It was built in the 11th encourage the development of Buddhist content-
century. based circuits. The journey of Lumbini, Bodh
n It is now India's first entirely solar-powered Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Rajgir,
heritage site. Modhera Sun Temple's 3D projection Sankisa, and Vaishali on the Buddhist Circuit will
mapping was inaugurated. now be completed in less time.
n In May 2020, the Government of India announced n The Ministry of Tourism has featured Buddhist
a plan to completely solarize the historic Konark sites on the Incredible India website and has
Sun Temple and Konark city in Odisha. This also developed a dedicated website, www.
scheme will use solar energy to meet Konark's indiathelandofbuddha.in. The objective of this
energy needs. website is to promote the rich Buddhist heritage
n The scheme was launched with the purpose in India.
of furthering the Prime Minister's vision of n Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister
developing Konark Sun Temple into a "Sun City." to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
New India Samachar January 1-15, 2023 23
