Page 23 - NIS English 16-31 December, 2025

Religious sites in Kashmir Buddhist Circuit Gains
regain their glory Air Connectivity
In August 2019, Article 370 was abrogated from Kashmir. A On October 20, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
zero-tolerance policy on terrorism was also adopted. This thwarted inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport, which
the threat of terrorism, allowing the restoration of ruined and has led to an increase in tourist arrivals and created more
abandoned religious sites. employment opportunities for local residents.
n The 300-year-old Raghunath Temple, a church in n Kushinagar is an international Buddhist
Dalgate, and a mosque in Srinagar were selected as the pilgrimage center, where Lord Gautam Buddha
first sites for restoration under the Smart City project. attained Mahaparinirvana. It is also the focal
n The Raghunath Temple has regained its glory. point of the Buddhist Circuit, which includes the
Now, it not only a place of worship but also hosts pilgrimage sites of Lumbini, Sarnath, and Gayaji.
exhibitions to introduce youth to the heritage. n The Central Government is developing a
n In June 2021, the renovated Shiva Temple in Buddhist Circuit for Buddhist sites associated
Gulmarg was reopened after a grand inauguration with Lord Buddha. Key development initiatives
ceremony by the Army. under the Buddhist Circuit include connectivity,
n In May 2022, prayers were also offered at the infrastructure and logistics, cultural research,
heritage and education, public awareness,
Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag district. Earlier, communication, and outreach.
in February 2021, prayers were also started at the
Sheetalnath Temple from Basant Panchami. n The airport is attracting more Buddhist
n Every year, devotees visit the Kheer Bhawani Temple followers from India and abroad to Kushinagar.
in central Kashmir, about 27 kilometers from Traveling to Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath,
Srinagar, to offer prayers. Kushinagar, Shravasti, Rajgir, Sankisa, and
Vaishali on the Buddhist Circuit is now taking
n This temple holds a sacred place in the spiritual less time.
life of Kashmiri Pandits. In the year 2022, on n Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first
the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami,
18 thousand Kashmiri Pandits and devotees had PM to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord
darshan of Maa Kheer Bhawani. Buddha.

Pandharpur: Palkhi Marg to ease travel

n On November 8, 2021, PM Modi dedicated to the n In an effort to facilitate the travel of pilgrims to
nation over 223 km of road projects to improve Pandharpur, PM Modi laid the foundation stone
highway connectivity to Pandharpur. for the four-laning of five sections of the Shri Sant
n These include the Mhaswad-Piliv-Pandharpur, Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg and three sections
Kurduwadi-Pandharpur, Pandharpur-Sangola, the of the Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg.
Tembhurni-Pandharpur section of NH 561A, and the n This is part of our efforts to further popularize the
Pandharpur-Mangalvedha-Umadi section of NH 561A. Warkari tradition among the youth of India.

December 16-31, 2025 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 21