Experiencing Buddhism – Landmark Sites in Central and Western India – Partnership with India Tourism Mumbai

Partnership with Incredible India – Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Cultural Samvaad is grateful to India Tourism, Mumbai (Incredible India) for associating with us on this campaign to bring to life the grandeur of landmark Buddhist sites in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. India is the land of spirituality. It is the land of the Buddha, of the Dhamma, of the Sangha. One can experience the teachings of Buddha through the length and breadth of the country. In this video, we give the tourist and the believer glimpses of the following sites:

• Dev Ni Mori – Gujarat
• Kanheri – Maharashtra
• Ajanta and Ellora Caves – Maharashtra
• Sanchi – Madhya Pradesh
• Sirpur – Chhattisgarh.

Watch the India Tourism Webinar on Buddhist Circuits

Landmark Sites in Central and Western India – Brief Description and How to Get There

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

From the famous Sanchi Stupa to free standing pillars, from temples to monasteries, the breathtaking group of monuments at Sanchi were built from the 3^rd century BCE to the 12^th century CE. Every inch of the site, especially the four intricately carved toranas bring alive stories from the life of Gautama Buddha, his teachings and the jataka tales.

The group of Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located 46 kms off Bhopal. The capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is well connected by air and rail.

Kanheri Caves, Mumbai, Maharashtra

The Kanheri Cave Complex is located in the scenic Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the heart of India’s commercial capital – Mumbai. The capital of Maharashtra, Mumbai is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is easily accessible through the year.

The group of 109 caves and rock cut monuments at Kanheri from the 1^st or 2nd century BCE to the 10th century CE. From chaityas, viharas and stupas to sculptures and relief carvings, from paintings to inscriptions in multiple scripts, Kanheri  is a wonder that is a testimony to the history of Buddhism in India.

Dev Ni Mori, Gujarat

Dev Ni Mori is a picturesque Buddhist archaeological site in in the Aravalli district of Gujarat that is dated between the 3^rd and 4^th centuries CE. The site has evidence of a monastery and is especially famous for its free standing stupa. Inscribed caskets of relics were excavated from this ancient stupa and numerous sandstone sculptures of the Buddha have been found here.

Dev ni Mori is about 125 kms away from Ahmedabad. The historic walled city of Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage City and is well connected by both air and rail.

Sirpur, Chhatisgarh

Sirpur or Shripur as it was originally known is an ancient archaeological site in Chattisgarh. Located on the banks of the Mahanadi river, it is suffused with spirituality and tranquility and is timeless evidence of the plurality of Indian culture. The large Buddhist viharas and the exquisite Buddhist sculptures that are even extolled in foreign travelogues including that of the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang are gateways to a surreal experience.

Sirpur 78 kms from Raipur the capital of Chhattisgarh which is well connected by both air and rail.

Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

The Ajanta and Ellora caves located in Aurangabad district were constructed over centuries. These two groups of cave monuments have witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties and attract pilgrims from across the world.  In addition to chaityas, viharas and exquisite sculptures, Ajanta is also home to mesmerizing and breathtaking paintings and murals that are universally recognised as one of the finest specimens of Indian and Buddhist art.

The Ajanta caves and Ellora caves are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are well connected by road, rail and air through Aurangabad.

पश्चिम एवं सेंट्रल भारत के प्रसिद्ध बौद्ध स्थल

भारत अध्यात्म की भूमि है। यह बुद्ध की भूमि है, धम्म की भूमि है, संघ की भूमि है। देश के कोने-कोने में बुद्ध की शिक्षाओं का अनुभव किया जा सकता है। इस वीडियो में हम पर्यटकों और अनुयायियों को निम्नलिखित स्थलों की झलक देते हैं:

• देवनी मोरी – गुजरात
• कान्हेरी – महाराष्ट्र
• अजन्ता और एलोरा की गुफाएं – महाराष्ट्र
• साँची – मध्य प्रदेश
• सिरपुर – छत्तीसगढ़

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the following for their support:

• Ms. Rupinder Brar – Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
• Mr. Venkatesan Dhattatreyan  – Regional Director (West and Central India), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
• Ms. Malti Dutta  – Assistant Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
• Regional and state teams at India Tourism, Mumbai

These videos were created and produced by our parent concern – Hiranya Growth Partners

Concept, Script, Voice Over and Direction – Garima Chaudhry
Creative Lead – Neelkamal Dey