NEPAL: Visit Lumbini But Do Not Climb Onto Statues Or Other Sacred Objects, Dress Respectfully.

Lumbini is the sacred site of the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is located in southern Nepal, near the Indian border.Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Province No. 5 in Nepal.

It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. Gautama, who achieved Enlightenment some time around 528 BCE became the Buddha and founded Buddhism.

Lumbini is one of many magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha.

Lumbini has a number of older temples, including the Mayadevi Temple, and various new temples, funded by Buddhist organisations from various countries, have been completed or are still under construction.

Many monuments, monasteries and a museum, and the Lumbini International Research Institute are also within the holy site. Also, there is the Puskarini, or Holy Pond, where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath.

At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, then achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms.

Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was situated in east of Kapilavastu and southwest Devadaha of Shakya, an oligarchic republic. According to Buddhist tradition, it was there, that the Buddha was born. A pillar discovered at Rummindei in 1896 is believed to mark the spot of Ashoka's visit to Lumbini.

The site was not known as Lumbini before the pillar was discovered. According to an inscription on the pillar, it was placed there by the people then in charge of the park to commemorate Ashoka visit and gifts. The park was previously known as Rummindei, 3.2 km north of Bhagavanpura.

The Sutta Nipata states that the Buddha was born in a village of the Sakyans in the Lumbineyya Janapada. The Buddha stayed in Lumbinivana during his visit to Devadaha and there preached the Devadaha Sutta.

Pillars of Ashoka, in 1896, General Khadga Samsher Rana and Alois Anton Führer discovered a great stone pillar at Rummindei, according to the crucial historical records made by the ancient Chinese monk-pilgrim Xuanzang in the 7th century CE and by another ancient Chinese monk-pilgrim Faxian in the early 5th century CE.

The Brahmi inscription on the pillar gives evidence that Ashoka, emperor of the Maurya Empire, visited the place in 3rd-century BCE and identified it as the birth-place of the Buddha. The inscription was translated by Paranavitana.

Then King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped at this spot because the Buddha Shakyamuni was born here.

Both caused to be made a stone bearing a horse and caused a stone pillar to be set up, in order to show that the Blessed One was born here. He made the village of Lummini free of taxes, and paying only an eighth share of the produce.

The Rummindei Edict, one of the Minor Pillar Edicts of Ashoka

At the top of the pillar, there is a second inscription by king Ripumalla 13-14th century CE, who is also known from an inscription at the Nigali Sagar pillar:

Om mani padme hum May Prince Ripu Malla be long victorious.

Inscription of King Ripumalla on the Lumbini pillar of Ashoka, 13-14th century.

A second pillar of Ashoka is located about 22 kilometers to the northwest of Lumbini, the Nigali Sagar pillar with inscription, and a third one 24 kilometers to the west, the Gotihawa pillar without inscription.

Excavation at the Mayadevi Temple in 2013 beneath existing brick structures at the Mayadevi Temple at Lumbini provide evidence for an older timber structure beneath the walls of a brick Buddhist shrine built during the Ashokan era, 3rd-century BCE.

The layout of the Ashokan shrine closely follows that of the earlier timber structure, which suggests a continuity of worship at the site. The pre-Mauryan timber structure appears to be an ancient tree shrine.

Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from the wooden postholes and optically stimulated luminescence dating of elements in the soil suggests human activity began at Lumbini around 1000 BCE. The site, states Coningham, may be a Buddhist monument from 6th-century BCE.

Other scholars state that the excavations revealed nothing that is Buddhist, and they only confirm that the site predates the Buddha.

Lumbini is 4.8 km (3 mi) in length and 1.6 km (1.0 mi) in width. The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built, no shops, hotels or restaurants.

It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone, the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.

There is a long water filled canal separating the western and eastern zones, with a series of brick arch bridges joining the two sides along the length. The canal is serviced by simple outboard motor boats at the north end which provides tours.

The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashokan pillar and the Mayadevi Temple, where the supposed place of birth of Buddha is located.

From early morning to early evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site.

Nipponzan Myohoji decided to build a Peace Pagoda in the park in 2001, which is visited by many different cultures and religions every day.

Because some Hindus regard the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, thousands of Hindus have begun to come here on pilgrimage during the full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh which is April–May to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi, the mother goddess of Lumbini.

Lumbini was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997.

Nepal's central bank has introduced a 100-rupee Nepali note featuring Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. The Nepal Rastra Bank said the new note would be accessible only during the Dashain, Nepal's major festival in October 2013.

It displays the portrait of Mayadevi, Gautam Buddha's mother in silver metallic on the front. The note also has a black dot which would help the blind recognise the note.

The name of the central bank in Latin script would be printed on the note along with the date of printing in both the Christian Era and the Bikram Era. The new note is being issued following a cabinet decision 27 August.

Lumbini is a 10-hour drive from Kathmandu and a 30-minute drive from Bhairahawa. The closest airport is Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa, with flights to and from Kathmandu.

The India border town of Sonauli in Maharajganj district is 1 hour drive from Lumbini and Nautanwa railway stations in India is just few kilometres away and nearest big city is Gorakhpur which is about 100km and is 4 hours drive from Lumbini.

Sights you should visit in Lumbini:

- Maya Devi Temple

- World Peace Pagoda

- Myanmar Golden Temple

- Ashoka Pillar

- Lumbini Crane Sanctuary

The nearest airport to Lumbini, that is, the Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa, is currently undergoing upgradation work. This small domestic airport is soon expected to become an international airport, with latest deadline set for 2019.

The upgradation work of the airport has also caught the eye of investors and hoteliers, and a series of new hotels are being constructed now in and around Lumbini, hoping to catch in on the expected international tourist boom once the airport upgradation work is complete.

Great Drigung Kagyud lotus Stupa

In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a park situated in Kapilavastu Nepal. It was in Lumbini that the Buddha was born. A pillar now marks the spot of Asoka's visit to Lumbiní.

According to an inscription on the pillar, it was placed there by the people then in charge of the park to commemorate Asoka's visit and gifts. The park was previously known as Rummindei, two miles north of Bhagavanpura.

In the Sutta Nipata it is stated that the Buddha was born in a village of the Sakyans, in the Lumbineyya Janapada. The Buddha stayed in Lumbinivana during his visit to Devadaha and there preached the Devadaha Sutta.

The closest airport is at Bhairahawa which is also known as Sidhhartha Nagar 22km, where there are flights to and from Kathmandu. Other airports serving more destinations include Gorakhpur and Faizabad in India.

Bhairahawa, is the nearest airport to get Lumbini if you want to fly from Kathmandu.

The closest station is at Nautanwa, India on the Indian Railway network, but passenger trains are infrequent on this line. The alternative of taxi travel from the border crossing at Sunauli to Gorakhpur takes about two hours. From Sunauli, Siddharthanagar is only 3.5 kilometers.

Total travel time is 12 – 18 hours from Dehli and 10 – 12 hours from Kolkata or Calcutta. The Mahaparinirvan Express tourist train stops in Gorakhpur where tourists continue to Lumbini by road.

Buses ply the route between Sunauli from stop across from Hotel Yeti and Lumbini. At Lumbini alight at the main gate.

Alternatively, from the Nepal side of the border one can take a shared jeep to Bhairahawa 4 kilometers followed by a bus to Lumbini. Bhairahawa-Lumbini buses depart every 15 minutes. The last return bus departs at 5 PM.

Buses also run from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Gorakhpur and Varanasi to Sunauli. Gorakhpur to Sunauli state transport buses are reasonably frequent.

Taxis are probably the best option for reaching Lumbini from Sunauli, though you will need to know the going rate to avoid paying well over the odds. As everywhere else in the sub-continent, ensure that the fare has been agreed before heading out. This will save trouble at the destination.

Given that the sights in Lumbini are far across, bicycles and cycle rickshaws offer a good way to get around. Bicycles can be rented at hotels in Lumbini 100 NRs/day, as well as the Korean monastery provided you are staying there.

Bicycles are also available near the main gate next to the cycle rickshaw stand. Make sure of the condition of the tires, as a flat will mean pushing it back over miles. Also check the condition of the seat and the lock.

Ashokan Pillar is an inscribed pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC on the spot of Buddha's birth. The inscription, which is the oldest in Nepal, grants Lumbini a tax-free status in honor of Buddha’s birth.

Buddhist Temples, there are foundations of temples dating from the 2nd century BC to the 9th century AD, and two modern temples: one in Tibetan style, the Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Temple, which was built by the king of Mustang, and one Nepalese Theravada style building, the Lumbini Buddha Vihar, which was built by the Nepalese government and contains Tibetan-style frescoes and Newari-style Buddhist images.

Outside the main complex, there are other temples built in the styles of countries where Buddhism is the predominant religion, such as Chinese, Japanese and Burmese.

The Japan Peace Stupa, the 41m imposing structure is situated at the northern end of the gardens.

The Lumbini Museum displays artifacts from the Mauryan and Kushana periods, religious manuscripts and other items discovered at the site. Closed on Tuesdays.

The Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI) is devoted to the study of Buddhism and other religions. It houses an extensive collection of books on religion, art and architecture.

The Golden Temple of Myanmar Oldest structure and beautiful work on temple building.

Soak up the peaceful atmosphere, conducive to meditation and reflection.

Hire a bike, you can barter for any bike for 50 rupees- and bike around the temples. There are a few no bike zones, the best way to get to the majority of temples is to come out of the main tourist road and turn right onto the main road then left through the first main gate to the park.

Lots of trinkets and religious paraphernalia are for sale near the entrance to the complex, including Buddha snow globes and stickers. A couple of shops in the village near the bus stop stock more of the same plus a bit more.

There are a couple of dhabas near the bus stop in the village. They all serve the same fare: puri in the morning, curry during the day, at 20 NRs a portion. Right at the beginning of the of the one street that is Lumbini village there is a rooftop restaurant 3 Foxes.

Close to the bus stop you'll find the 365 Restaurant. A red bulding. Nice cheap restaurant with friendly staff, they serve good asian and western food. Momos Veg with Chilly just 120 Rupees.

Two small shops will sell you local spirits to take out.

Mayadevi guest house, lumbini bazzar in the main market.

New Cottage Lodge (M. Prabin Goswami), cheap lodge suitable for bag packer.

Lumbini Garden Lodge - 300-800 NRs Situated in the main bazaar, east to the Main gate at just about 1 minute walk. The Mayadevi Temple is just 10 minute walk from this hotel, so the location is very good. The rooms at Lumbini Garden Lodge are clean and well maintained.

They have big and nice rooms with attached bath and shared bath as well. Windows have mosquito nets too. They also WIFI connectivity which is fast. It is peaceful to sit in the Balcony and get the view of Lumbini Bazaar.

Korean Monastery: sleep in a dorm for 300 NRs, including 3 meals a day; No smoking outside the gates it is allowed, no music, dancing, card games, etc.

Sri-Lankan Pilgrims' Rest House, about a 15 to 20 minute walk from main site.

The Holy Birth, about a 5 minute walk from Maya Devi temple, behind Yeti Bank.

Gautam Buddha Lodge - 200-400 NRs is situated in A nearby village. The owners are rude and the rooms seem to be infested with mosquitoes, spiders and cockroaches. Far from the main entrance.

Pawan International Hotel, Main Road, Siddtha Nagar.

Hotel Nirvana, Paklihawa rd, Siddtha Nagar.

Hotel Glasgow pvt ltd Bank Road, Siddtha Nagar.

Sunflower Travellers Lodge Buddhanagar Lumbini Nepal, tel: +977 71 580-004. Sunflower Travellers Lodge has A/C and non-A/C rooms. Its ran by very polite and helpful Chinese staff and the rooms are cleaned very frequently. They have laundry service, Wi-fi, message, and vehicle booking.

The lodge's Chinese food is great and also has a western kitchen and wide selection of western deserts.

Buddha Bhoomi Guest House, In front of Lumbini east gate. All rooms have twin beds with attached bathroom, 24 hour running of hot and cold water, A/C and non-A/C rooms + Free wifi. Buddha Bhoomi Guest house also have good restaurant, fresh and hygienic foods.

Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel.

Lumbini Hotel Kasai. Opened in 2009 in the Lumbini Sacred Garden, this Japanese-managed hotel offer rooms with air-con, refrigerator, en-suite bathrooms, and TOTO washlet.

Japanese and Indian cuisine, prepared from fresh organic vegetables direct from hotel's garden, are served in the restaurant. Airport shuttles are available.

Always do the following:

- Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.

- Walk or go about or around the stupas and other sacred objects in a clockwise direction.

- Preserve the peace and tranquillity.

- Do not climb onto statues or other sacred objects.

Tourist Busses to Pokhara are for 700 Rupees available. You can buy them directly at the Bus stop or in your hotel.

There is one Tourist Bus to Kathmandu, with A.C for 1200 Rupee.


Tourism Observer

INDIA: Hindus Travel To Varanasi Looking For Death

They arrive in battered cars, on crutches and sometimes on a stretcher barely able to breathe - but salvation is close for thousands of Hindus who go to the holy city of Varanasi each year to die.

Some end up in homes for the elderly overlooking the revered Ganges river where they eventually hope to be cremated but a few struggle to the Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan, or Salvation House, which is reserved for those with only a few days to live.

About 20 men and women each month come from around the world to finish their days at Varanasi's Death Hotel, a tired old red colonial-era building with 12 sparse concrete floor rooms.

Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi releases them from the eternal cycle of life and death reincarnation. Cremation in the Ganges is an added spiritual bonus.

There used to be more guest houses like Mukti Bhawan, but the buildings have increasingly become regular hotels for tourists who bring more cash to the city where 24-hour cremations on the holy river are a huge draw.

Bhairav Nath Shukla, who has been Mukti Bhawan's caretaker for more than four decades, said most of his residents pass away within in a few days.

Normally, two weeks is the limit for using a room.

There have been some exceptions. Some people were really sick but were still alive after more than a week, said Shukla, who is often to be found in the courtyard in front of the entrance.

Sometimes we ask their family to take them home and come back again later. Sometimes we let them stay longer.

Because of the growing development in Varanasi, Mukti Bhawan, which is run by a charity, no longer has a view of the river. But there is still no shortage of mainly poor people wanting to die there.

Many have travelled thousands of kilometres (miles), sometimes taking a plane from a foreign country, or even just being put in the back of a car in an isolated Indian village.

The residents pay about a dollar a day for their room and a fan.

Daily prayers are led by an elderly pandit a Hindu priest who also offers residents Ganges water, which is considered pure and holy by Hindus.

For those with extra cash, a local Hindu choir can also be hired to perform holy songs for the ailing visitors.

All kinds of people from different backgrounds come here, said Shukla. They come from the east, the south, remote northeast India and abroad.

Most come here with their family who pray and wait for the end.

Shukla reckons more than 15,000 people have died at Mukti Bhawan and been taken to the Ganges for cremation since it opened in about 1908.

And while Hindus maintain their undying belief in Varanasi's spiritual powers the Mukti Bhawan path to salvation has a bright future, he says.

Hotel Salvation

Hotel Salvation, known in India as Mukti Bhawan is a 2016 Indian film written and directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani and produced by Sanjay Bhutiani. The film is a comedy-drama about a son who is forced to set his job aside to accompany his elderly father to the holy city of Varanasi.

It stars Adil Hussain and Lalit Behl in the lead roles. The film received four nominations at the 63rd Filmfare Awards, including Best Film Critics.

Mukti Bhawan follows the story of a reluctant son who must take his father to the holy city of Varanasi, where his father believes he will breathe his last and attain salvation.

When a 77-year-old man, Daya, wakes up from a strange nightmare, he knows his time is up and he must get to Varanasi immediately in hope of dying there to attain salvation.

His dutiful son, Rajiv, is left with no choice but to drop everything and make the journey with his stubborn father, leaving behind his wife and daughter.

The two of them check into Mukti Bhawan, a hotel devoted to people hoping to spend their last days there. Rajiv finds himself having to live and take care of his father for the first time in his life.

While Rajiv struggles to juggle his responsibilities back home, Daya starts to bloom as he finds a sense of community in the hotel, and a companion in the 75-year old Vimla.

As the days go by and Daya shows no sign of letting up, Rajiv is faced with the dilemma of whether to remain there with his father or fulfill his duty back home. Rajiv gives his father a shot at salvation but as family bonds are tested, he finds himself torn, not knowing what he must do to keep his life together.

Faced with his father's untimely and bizarre demand to go and die in the holy city of Varanasi and attain Salvation, a son is left with no choice but to embark on this journey.

Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites.

Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the Golden Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.


Tourism Observer

INDIA: Link Uttar Pradesh Tourist And Pilgrim Spots By Helicopter Service

To promote religious tourism in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government intends to link the places of tourist and pilgrim interest in the state with helicopter service.

This was conveyed by the chief minister during a presentation of Toursim Department when he asked the officials concerned to link major tourist centres including Lucknow, Mathura, Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Prayag (Allahabad), Vindhyachal, Naimisharanya, Chitrakoot, Kushinagar and Varanasi and other places of tourist importance with helicopter service, an official spokesman said here today.

The chief minister instructed during the presentation late last night that the civil aviation department should link these places with the help of public-private participation.

He instructed that the Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi and Lucknow- Allahabad-Gorakhpur sectors be included under the regional connectivity scheme of the central government for providing low cost air service.

Stressing on boosting health tourism with focus on yoga, he suggested preparing a work plan at the earliest for conducting programmes in Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

Instructing officials to make special efforts for boosting investment in tourism sector, he mooted a proposal of appointing 500 tourist police for providing better facilities and cooperation to tourists coming to the state.

Proposing organising an international literary festival of Hindi and Sanskrit in Varanasi, he said it could be used for showcasing Indian culture.

The chief minister suggested organising a road show and food festival in Mumbai in July, besides setting up a one-stop travel solutions portal in eight foreign languages and a detailed plan for developing the state as a medical and wellness tourism destination, the spokesman added.

India has jumped 12 places to 40th rank globally in travel and tourism competitiveness list by World Economic Forum.

India is one of the countries that improved the most as it gained 12 places in Asia, but lagged behind its other Asian peers like Japan and China which were ranked way ahead at 4th and 13th place, respectively. Spain is ranked at the top in the list.


"India continues to enrich its cultural resources, protecting more cultural sites and intangible expressions through UNESCO World Heritage lists, and via a greater digital presence," WEF said in its Global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017.

Some of the factors that helped India climb up the ladder include international openness through strong policies such as implementing visa on arrival and e-visas, and improvements in the country's ground transport infrastructure which benefited the travel and tourism sector in the country, it added.

India has seen continued growth in international arrivals over the past 15 years, reaching the eight million mark in 2015, WEF said, adding the country's vast cultural and natural resources, and its price competitiveness advantage also attracted international tourists.

The report, however, noted that though health conditions are improving, they remain "inadequate". Similarly, ICT readiness, security concerns and human resources are improving, but remain "weak".

"While further improvements are needed across these dimensions, India is taking small but important steps in the right direction," WEF said, adding that the Indian travel and tourism sector presents significant opportunities that are yet to be reaped, especially in the provision of tourist service infrastructure, and in terms of additional accommodation capacity and entertainment facilities.

In the global ranking Spain, France and Germany were ranked at the top three positions, making them the most tourism friendly economies.

Traditional strong travel and tourism destinations, including Japan (4th), the United Kingdom (5th), the United States (6th), Australia (7th), Italy (8th), Canada (9th) and Switzerland (10th), have also made it to the top 10.

While advanced economies still hold the top slots, 12 of the top 15 most improved countries are emerging markets.

"The rise of Asia's giants shows that the Asian Tourism Century is becoming a reality. To reach their potential, the majority of countries still have more to do, from enhancing security, promoting their cultural heritage, building their infrastructure and creating stronger visa policies," WEF Community Lead of the Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industries Tiffany Misrahi said.

These results are of significant importance as tourism helps economic growth and job creation - up to 1/10th of global GDP and jobs are tourism-related, WEF noted.

The report ranks 136 countries across 14 dimensions, revealing how well countries could deliver sustainable economic and societal benefits through their travel and tourism sector.

Medical tourist arrivals in India up 25%

The country is witnessing 22-25 per cent growth in medical tourism and healthcare providers expect the industry will double to $6 billion by 2018 from $3 billion now.

The ministries of health, external affairs, tourism and culture are working to increase the number of medical tourists. The government provides online visas, multiple entries, extensions of stay, and accreditation to more hospitals. Several other measures are under way, according to the Indian Medical Association (IMA). “The government has improved the visa policy to make it patient friendly. There is no waiting time for foreign patients at hospitals,” said Radhey Mohan, vice president, international business development, at Apollo Hospitals. The chain received 170,000 foreign patients from 87 countries during 2016-17.

Medical tourists to India typically seek joint replacement surgeries, heart, liver and bone marrow transplants, spine and brain surgeries, cancer and kidney treatments, and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Patients from Africa and the Middle East access private healthcare in India due to lack of facilities and doctors back home. Medical tourists from Europe and the US come here for cosmetic surgeries that are not covered by insurance. “We do bariatric surgery at $6,000-8,000, while it costs around $15,000 in the US. Almost 15-20 per cent of our surgical patients are from other countries,” said Dr Sukhvinder Singh Saggu, practising laproscopic surgeon at Apollo Spectra New Delhi.

Non-resident Indians, persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and overseas citizens of India (OCIs) prefer to come here for IVF and gynaecology treatments. “They spend only 30 per cent of what it costs in the US or UK. Moreover, they have family support here,” said Dr Kamini Rao, medical director at Milann — The Fertility Centre.

AV Guruva Reddy, managing director of the Hyderabad-based Sunshine Hospitals, said the general standard of hygiene and technology in Indian medical facilities had improved. The number of foreign tourists coming to the country for medical purposes increased 50 per cent to 200,000 in 2016 from 130,000 in 2015. This number is expected to double in 2017 with several new initiatives like easier visas for medical tourists.

Modi's birthplace soon to become a museum, be thrown open to public

Soon, those interested will be able to visit a museum in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthplace, Vadnagar, if things go according to plan. A trip along the narrow bylanes of Vadnagar, the ancient capital of the Gujarat kingdom that the Puranas describe as a flourishing city, is set to become more interesting as tour operators work to create a “Modi landmarks” tour around the city.

The state tourism department, too, is also in the process to develop Vadnagar-Modhera-Patan as a heritage tourist circuit that involves a Rs 7.9 crore redevelopment of Vadnagar railway station (where once Modi sold tea as a boy). Union tourism ministry has sanctioned Rs 99.81 crore for the circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Circuit, and Gujarat Tourism is the nodal agency for executing the same. While this involves creating tourism infrastructure and preservation of these heritage sites together with promoting it for tourists, local travel operators are banking on the Modi connection to sell the package.

The Gujarat Tourism Development Society (GTDS) that comprises several key tour operators in the state is planning to convert the erstwhile house of Modi’s family into a museum. Modi’s family had sold their modest house in Vadnagar where the PM had spent most part of his childhood when they moved to Gandhinagar, the state capital.

Manish Sharma, owner of Akshar Travels and also the chairman of GTDS, says that they are in talks with the current owners and in case they are willing to sell the property, it could be converted into a museum that would showcase the journey of Modi from this small town in north Gujarat to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. “As it is, many inquisitive tourists descend on Vadnagar and everyone who comes to this town makes it a point to visit Modiji’s house. The house is always thronged by many tourists and the current owners might just want to sell it off,” says an optimistic Sharma who has already made an offer to buy the property.

His agency has been conducting a guided tour called “A Rise from Modi’s Village” since January 2015 and so far around 25,000 people have already taken the tour, including yoga-guru-turned-entrepreneur Baba Ramdev and Union Minister for Tourism, Mahesh Sharma.

The 7.00 am to 7.00 pm tour which costs Rs 700 per person starts from Vadnagar and covers Patan (famous for its 11th century step-well Rani Ki Vav, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Modhera (famous for its 11th century Sun Temple located on the Tropic of Cancer).

Sharma claims that they had recently showcased the “Rise from Modi’s Village” tour at ITB-Berlin, a leading international travel and tourism fair, in March this year, and received phenomenal response from tourists from Africa and West Asia.

“We already have several hundred queries and expect around 50,000 tourists may visit the place in a year,” he claims.

Vadnagar surely has an old world charm and has catapulted to the national fame post Modi’s ascent to Delhi.

S J Haider, principal secretary tourism, Gujarat government, who is the nodal officer for executing the tourism ministry’s plan, says that there are plans to develop Modhera as a solar town keeping true to the site’s century old connection with the Sun Temple, an architectural marvel built by the Chalukya rulers.

As for Vadnagar, the tourism department is planning to develop the several lakes in the region, the most famous being the Sharmishtha lake (where a young Modi had once swam with crocodiles). “There is a plan to develop a theme park, boating jetty at Sharmishtha lake. This apart, there are plans to develop public utilities, pathways, landscaping of the area around the famous torans or gates at Vadnagar that have huge heritage value.”

At Tana-Riri close to Vadnagar, which is famous for its annual musical conference, plans are afoot to build an amphitheatre. The Vadnagar railway station, too, is in for a makeover as the tourism department would be developing a new façade apart from close circuit television and modern amenities.

As such the Western Railways is already converting the Mehsana-Tarange Hill metre gauge section into broad gauge, of which Vadnagar station is a part.

As for Patan, it already is famous for the step-well and its Patola sarees. Tourism department would be working on developing tourism infrastructure in the area and create tourist amenities.

INDIA: Uttar Pradesh Wants Air Connectivity To Tourist Sites,Poachers Shot In Kaziranga National park

The Uttar Pradesh government is exploring air connectivity to major religious tourist places in the state, an official said on Friday.

The airports would be established under the regional connectivity scheme

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the tourism department officials to work out an action plan to connect religious hot spots including, Lucknow, Mathura, Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Allahabad, Vindhaychal, Naimisharanya, Kushinagar, Varanasi and Chitrakoot through helicopter services.

At a meeting held to review the civil aviation department, Yogi said the state government will also explore the possibilities of establishing more airports in Uttar Pradesh to boost tourism.

The airports would be established under the regional connectivity scheme, an official said.

The construction of airport at Kushinagar, extension of the air strip at Chitrakoot and construction of a new air strip at Kanpur was on way, the official added.

Before they could succeed in their nefarious design, the anti-poaching squad of the famous Kaziranga National Park managed to gun down two poacher late on Saturday night in the park.

According to reports, the forest department officials received a tip off about the possible strike by poacher in the park. But before the poachers could carry out their evil design, the alert forest guards posted in the park intercepted them and were challenged to surrender.

Instead of laying down their arms, the poacher indulged in indiscriminate firing, said a park official who added that the anti-poaching squad effectively retaliated by returning the gun-fire in which two poachers were killed in Agaratoli forest range.

The forest guards recovered two rifles and some ammunition from the dead poachers.

It may be mentioned here that in comparison to killing of 21 rhino in the current year by poacher, a total of 15 poachers have also been shot dead by the anti-poaching squad of the Kaziranga National Park in the same period.

This includes the poachers shot dead on Saturday night, said an official of the forest department.

INDIA: Special Train Coaches To Be Dedicated For Tourists

A team of officials from Tourism and Railways Ministries will be formed who would identify in two months 25 railway stations which are most frequented by tourists, the source said.

Two coaches in every special train passing through 25 railway stations most frequented by domestic as well as foreign tourists may get improved and special facilities. These 25 stations, to be named ‘Adarsh Railway Stations’, will have a tourism help desk, special toilets, rest rooms, besides having the guide facilities, a source said.

A team of officials from Tourism and Railways Ministries will be formed who would identify in two months 25 railway stations which are most frequented by tourists, the source said.

It was discussed during a meeting between Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma and Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu in the presence of other senior officials here today. Police personnel who are trained for managing the tourists grievances and volunteers from NCC and NSS will also be deployed at these stations.

Two coaches, specially dedicated to domestic and foreign tourists, in the special trains which pass through these Adarsh Railway stations are also being considered, the source said.

These coaches, which would be coloured differently, will have special fares, facilities as well as reservation criteria, he added. The team would also come up with solutions for ferrying the tourists from these railway stations to tourist destinations.

Railway station at Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Guwahati, Puri and Varanasi may find the place in the list of 25 Adarsh Railway stations, according to the source. During the meeting, it was also decided to make a provision for group booking customers to get seats in a same coach, the source said.

INDIA: Contribution of Tourism and Hospitality Sector to Economy

As per the 2nd Tourism Satellite Account of India (TSA) - 2009-10 and subsequent estimation for the next three years namely 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13, the contribution of tourism to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 were 6.77%, 6.76%, 6.76% and 6.88%, respectively. The contribution of tourism to total Employment of the Country during 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 were 10.17%, 10.78%, 11.49% and 12.36%, respectively.

Keeping in view this significant contribution of tourism in economy and employment of the country, Ministry of Tourism makes adequate policies and programmes to attract more tourists. Some of the major initiatives taken by the Ministry of Tourism to attract more foreign tourists in the country are as below:

i. Central Financial Assistance (CFA):

Ministry of Tourism operates various schemes through which Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is provided to States/UTs for overall development and promotion of tourism.

Recently, Ministry of Tourism has launched following two new schemes for development of tourism in thematic manner:

Swadesh Darshan: Swadesh Darshan was launched for development of theme based tourist circuits in a way that caters to both mass and niche tourism in a holistic manner. Twelve Circuits namely North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit have been identified for development under this Scheme.

National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD): This new Scheme has been launched for the development and beautification of pilgrimage sites to tap the growth of domestic tourists driven by religious sentiments and to augment tourism infrastructure at places of pilgrimage to facilitate pilgrims/tourists. In the first phase, cities namely Amritsar, Kedarnath, Ajmer, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya, Puri, Dwarka, Amravati, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Guwahati and Patna have been identified for infrastructure development.

ii. Publicity and Promotion:

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, promotes India as a holistic destination in the international markets. As part of its promotional activities, the MoT releases campaigns in the international markets under the Incredible India brand-line to showcase various tourism destinations and products including its cultural heritage.

Moreover, a series of promotional activities are being undertaken in tourist generating markets overseas through the India Tourism Offices abroad with the objective of showcasing Indias tourism potential and promoting tourism to the country. These promotional activities include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising road shows, Know India seminars & workshops; organizing and supporting Indian food and cultural festivals; publication of brochures, offering joint advertising and brochure support, and inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the Hospitality programme of the Ministry.

The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to Stakeholders and Tourism Departments of States/Union Territories for undertaking promotional activities under the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme.

iii. e Tourist Visa (e-TV):

The Government of India has introduced the facility of e-TV for the citizens of 113 countries at 16 airports. Introduction of e-TV is a Path breaking measure by the Government in easing entry formalities in the country.

Government of India has also revised the e-TV fee in four slabs of 0, US$25, US$48 and US$60 from November 3, 2015. Earlier e-TV application fee was US$60 and bank charge as US$2 which was uniform for all the countries. The revision of Visa fee has been done on the principle of reciprocity. Bank charges have also been reduced from US$2 to 2.5 % of the e-TV fee. During the period January to October, 2015 a total of 2,58,182 e-TV holders visited India indicating the success of the new online process.

This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.