Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards preserving and promoting Odisha’s rich Buddhist legacy, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, Jirang, at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
The partnership reinforces the State Government’s vision of positioning Odisha as a globally recognised hub for Buddhist heritage, spirituality, scholarship and cultural tourism.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, Pravati Parida; Minister of Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Sports & Youth Services and Higher Education, Suryabanshi Suraj; Chief Secretary Anu Garg; and His Eminence Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, President of Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, Jirang, along with senior officials, members of the monastic community and distinguished guests.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said that Odisha’s Buddhist heritage is one of the State’s greatest cultural assets and an important pillar of its tourism potential. She noted that the collaboration reflects the Government’s commitment to preserving this timeless legacy while creating authentic spiritual experiences for visitors from across the globe. She expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen Odisha’s position as a leading international destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural tourism.
Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated that Odisha’s Buddhist traditions represent a unique confluence of history, philosophy and living culture. He said the partnership would not only help conserve invaluable heritage but also promote research, cultural exchange and deeper public engagement with Odisha’s rich Buddhist legacy for future generations.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg congratulated the Department of Tourism and the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture for taking this significant initiative to strengthen Odisha’s Buddhist heritage through institutional collaboration. She observed that the partnership reflects the Government’s integrated approach towards heritage conservation, cultural preservation and sustainable tourism.
The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration to develop authentic spiritual and experiential tourism programmes, including meditation retreats, spiritual learning initiatives, monastic immersion experiences and pilgrimage activities. It also envisages promoting Buddhist scholarship through international conferences, research, academic collaborations and knowledge exchange.
The agreement further supports the integrated development of the Ratnagiri–Udayagiri–Lalitgiri–Jirang Buddhist Circuit as a world-class heritage, pilgrimage and cultural destination, with a strong emphasis on heritage conservation, enhanced visitor experience and sustainable tourism.
