BJD Rajya Sabha MP Dr Sasmit Patra met Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi and urged the inclusion of Odisha’s Buddhist heritage sites in India’s National Buddhist Circuit.
Dr Patra submitted a detailed memorandum emphasising the global importance of Odisha’s Buddhist sites, including the Diamond Triangle of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitgiri. He described these sites as major Buddhist educational centres of Eastern India, representing the evolution of Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions and ancient maritime links between Kalinga and Southeast Asia.
He also highlighted Dhauli, the site marking Emperor Ashoka’s transformation after the Kalinga War, and Langudi, associated with the ancient Pushpagiri Mahavihara. Dr Patra requested the Union Ministry’s support for maintenance, development, and international promotion of these sites, along with efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status.
Dr Patra said including Odisha in the National Buddhist Tourism Profile would strengthen India’s cultural diplomacy, enrich the Act East Policy, and promote balanced heritage tourism across the country. The Union Minister assured that a detailed study would be conducted and appropriate steps taken to advance the proposal.
