50 delegates from 5 countries take part in ‘Bodhi Yatra’ in UP

Buddhist monks, travel agents, and social media influencers join the cultural tour

‘Bodhi Yatra’ held from June 2 to 7 under Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative

Foreign delegates meet CM Yogi Adityanath, gather information about famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites of UP

Lucknow : In a bid to place Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist heritage on the world map, the Yogi Adityanath-led government is actively promoting the state’s Buddhist pilgrimage sites through international collaboration and strategic tourism initiatives. As part of this mission, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, organized a special “Bodhi Yatra” under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) framework.

The familiarization trip, held from June 2 to June 7, aimed to showcase key destinations within the state’s Buddhist circuit. A 50-member delegation from five ASEAN nations—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—participated in the tour. The group included Buddhist monks, travel agents, and social media influencer.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh stated that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh is committed to promoting its rich Buddhist heritage on a global platform. The recently held ‘Bodhi Yatra’ aimed to showcase major Buddhist sites like Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar and Sarnath, as well as Varanasi, Lucknow, and Agra to the world tourism map.

He informed that during the trip, the visiting delegation explored important sites such as the Ananda Bodhi Tree, Jetavana Monastery, Piprahwa Stupa, Mahaparinirvana Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Ashokan Pillar, and several Buddhist museums. He added that the Yogi government has focused on improving infrastructure, enhancing tourist facilities, and preserving the cultural significance of these sacred places.

Earlier in Lucknow, the international delegation met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and learned about Uttar Pradesh’s rich and deeply rooted Buddhist heritage. The Tourism Department extended a warm welcome with traditional hospitality and special presentations, showcasing the spiritual and cultural significance of each site on the ‘Bodhi Yatra’ itinerary.

Business-to-business (B2B) meetings were also held during the ‘Bodhi Yatra’, helping strengthen tourism and cultural ties between India and Southeast Asian countries. The Tourism Minister noted that this effort will not only bring global recognition to UP’s Buddhist legacy but also boost tourism and contribute to the state’s economic growth.