The Samikhsya Correspondent
HYDERABAD: Aptly titled Buddhavanam, a unique Buddhist heritage theme the park is coming up at Nagarjuna Sagar.
Located at a distance of nearly 165 kilometers from Hyderabad, it is slated for inauguration on May 26, on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti.
The Telangana Tourism Development Corporation is developing the project.
Buddhavanam promises to be a one-stop destination for anyone interested in learning about the life and teachings of Buddha, the officials stated.
Buddavanam, which is also known as Sriparvata Arama, is being built on 274 acres of land on the left bank of Krishna river.
Started in 2003, the project funded by the State and Centre, is being developed at a cost of Rs 67-crore.
Buddhavanam was chosen to be constructed in this place due to its historical significance.
Archaeological evidence found here since 1927 – Buddhist structures like monasteries, shrines and stupas – reveals that this place was rich in Buddhist history.
It is also known that Acharya Nagarjuna, a Buddhist scholar, spent his last days on the hill named Nagarjuna Konda.
Buddhavanam is divided into eight segments, Buddhacharithavanam, Jataka Park, Dhyanavanam, Stupa Park, Acharya Nagarjuna International Centre for Higher Buddhist Learning, Krishna Valley Park, a segment representing Buddhism in Telugu states, and a Mahastupa.
There are 13 national and international Buddhist miniature stupas exhibited at Buddhavanam that offers glimpses of the various regional architectural styles.
Dalai Lama visited the site in 2006 and planted a Bodhi tree.
