Upload
vodan
View
273
Download
13
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Prepared For:
Prepared By:
,
IMRB International
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT
BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
October 2010
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
2
Preface
Thailand and India have been maintaining close ties for several centuries, be it historic,
cultural or economic. Civilizations of two countries and their linkages are reflected in religion,
language, art & architecture, dance, drama and literature. Indian traders, priests and missionaries have
visited Thailand since long time ago. Similarly, there are many Thai scholars and monks who have
studied Indian and Sanskrit language in Indian universities. Movements of people from all walks of
life for exchanging ideas and strengthening social, cultural & business cooperation have taken place
over the centuries in both directions.
The first ever Buddhism into the area now known as Thailand was propagated by King Asoka
in 218 B.E. (Buddhist Era). After the successful establishment of the third council, King Asoka had
sent monks in other parts of current-day Thailand to spread the Buddhas teachings. Subsequently,
King Kanishaka the Great ensured spread of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand and sent monks to
spread the religion in Central Asia. Theravada Buddhism, the current form of Thai Buddhism, came
into existence during the period of Anuruddha the Great, King of Bukama.
The shared link of Buddhism is reflected in the regular pilgrimages by Thais to places of
Buddhist interest in India. Over the years the two countries have come even closer through mutual
political goodwill and closer people-to-people contacts, which are complemented by a rapidly
expanding economic and business partnership. The tourism industry receives significant benefits from
Thai-India cooperation to liberalize trade, investment, and transportation at the bilateral level
(Thailands Look West and Indias Look East Policies) and under regional frameworks such as
ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC). The number of Indian
outbound business and leisure tourists traveling to Thailand has touched the figure of 600,000 in 2009
(in comparison to 300,000 in 2004). The figure is likely to reach 1 million by 2013. Similarly, tourist
arrivals from Thailand also witnessed upward movement. During the year 2009 more than 60,000
Thai tourists visited India. The same was only 2,700 in 2004. A significant core of this figure consists
of tourists who come to India on pilgrimage to visit Buddhist holy sites.
Government of Indias proactive role to promote tourism in general and Buddhist circuit
tourism in particular, coupled with the open-sky policy, has resulted in a sharp rise in Thai tourists
heading towards India. Growing number of Thai pilgrim tourists heading towards Buddhist Circuit
calls for providing basic facilities to service their needs in terms of stay, food, medical facilities at a
reasonable cost. Setting up of budget hotels/restaurants by potential Thai investors in the Buddhist
circuit for tourists coming from Thailand and other neighbouring countries to service their
requirements may usher a new era in promoting Thai investments in India. Sensing the potential of
attracting Thai investment to capture emerging opportunities in Buddhist circuit tourism, the Royal
Thai Embassy, New Delhi has commissioned Business and Industrial Research Division (BIRD) of
IMRB International to undertake a study for evaluating the feasibility and attractiveness of setting up
Budget Hotels (2 to 3 star category) in towns and cities that host Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the state
of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
3
Table of Contents
1 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND RESEARCH APPROACH .......................................... 8
1.1 Terms of Reference ................................................................................................................ 8
1.2 Research Approach and Information Sources .................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Secondary and Database Search .............................................................. 8
1.2.2 Primary Research Unstructured Business Interviews ........................... 8
1.2.3 Primary Research Semi-structured Interviews ...................................... 9
2 INDIA: DESTINATION FOR BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOURISM ...................... 11
2.1 Overview of Buddhist Circuit ............................................................................................. 11
2.2 Spread of Buddhism in Asia ............................................................................................... 11
BUDDHIST CIRCUIT IN INDIA ...................................................................................... 13
2.3 Buddhist Circuit in India: Geographical Spread ............................................................. 13
2.4 Buddhist Circuit in Bihar ................................................................................................... 15
2.4.1 Vaishali .................................................................................................. 15
2.4.2 Rajgir...................................................................................................... 17
2.4.3 Bodhgaya ............................................................................................... 18
2.4.4 Nalanda .................................................................................................. 20
2.5 Buddhist Circuit in Uttar Pradesh ..................................................................................... 22
2.5.1 Kapilvastu .............................................................................................. 22
2.5.2 Sarnath ................................................................................................... 23
2.5.3 Sravasti ................................................................................................... 24
2.5.4 Sankisa ................................................................................................... 25
2.5.5 Kaushambi ............................................................................................. 25
2.5.6 Kushinagar ............................................................................................. 25
2.5.7 Varanasi ................................................................................................. 26
2.5.8 Lumbini (Nepal)..................................................................................... 27
2.6 Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites in Orissa................................................................................... 29
2.7 Other Buddhist Excursions Sites........................................................................................ 29
2.8 Popular Routes to Cover Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites ........................................................ 32
2.8.1 Road Distance among the important sites .............................................. 33
3 UNDERSTANDING TRAVELER DYNAMICS .............................................................. 36
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
4
3.1 Taking a deep dive into destinations .................................................................................. 36
3.2 Tourist Inflows in the Buddhist Circuit States ................................................................. 39
3.3 Inflow of Travelers across Buddhist Circuit ..................................................................... 40
3.3.1 Overall.................................................................................................... 40
3.3.2 Seasonality ............................................................................................. 42
3.3.3 Country Wise ......................................................................................... 43
3.4 Profile and Preferences of Foreign Travelers ................................................................... 44
3.4.1 By Nature of Travel ............................................................................... 44
3.4.2 By capacities to spend ............................................................................ 45
3.4.3 Other salient points with respect to Traveler preferences and behavior 45
3.5 Traveler Need Gaps and Pain Points ................................................................................. 49
4 NATURE OF HOTEL INDUSTRY ACROSS THE BUDDHIST CIRCUIT ................ 52
4.1 Competitive Landscape ....................................................................................................... 52
4.2 Location-wise Availability of Hotels .................................................................................. 55
4.3 Business Dynamics ............................................................................................................... 56
4.3.1 Role of Stakeholders in the Chain ......................................................... 56
4.3.2 Hotel price/tariffs ................................................................................... 57
4.3.3 Occupancy rates ..................................................................................... 57
4.3.4 Growth drivers ....................................................................................... 58
4.3.5 Key Business Risks ................................................................................ 61
4.4 Case for mid end budget hotel chain targeting Thai tourist............................................ 63
4.5 Fund requirements for setting up a Hotel across destinations of primary and
secondary importance ................................................................................................................. 64
4.6 Attractiveness of locations for establishing hotels across Buddhist circuit .................... 66
4.7 Locations for establishing Rest areas................................................................................. 69
4.8 Key problems in setting up hotel/restaurant across the Buddhist circuit ...................... 70
4.9 Possibilities of Collaboration .............................................................................................. 70
5 POTENTIAL IN TAWANG AND RUMTEK .................................................................. 72
5.1 TAWANG (Arunachal Pradesh) ........................................................................................ 72
5.1.1 Major Routes to Cover Arunachal Pradesh ........................................... 73
5.1.2 Tourist arrivals in Arunachal Pradesh .................................................... 74
5.1.3 Profile of the Tourists ............................................................................ 77
5.1.4 Major Barriers for Low Tourist Turnout ............................................... 79
5.1.5 Future Scenario ...................................................................................... 80
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
5
5.2 RUMTEK (Sikkim) ............................................................................................................. 81
5.2.1 Rumtek Monastery ................................................................................. 81
5.2.2 Tourist Arrival in Sikkim ....................................................................... 83
5.2.3 Profile of the Tourists in Sikkim ............................................................ 83
5.2.4 Rumtek Visitors and Hotel Facilities ..................................................... 84
5.2.5 Opportunity for setting up Budget Hotel in Rumtek ............................. 85
6 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT POLICIES .................................. 87
6.1 National Tourism Policy Government of India ............................................................. 87
6.1.1 Guidelines for 11th Plan Scheme ........................................................... 87
6.1.2 Scheme for Infrastructure Development: For Buddhist Circuits ........... 88
6.1.3 Infrastructure Development in Bihar & UP ........................................... 88
Tourism Policy of Bihar Special reference to Buddhist Circuit .......................................... 88
6.2 Tourism Policy of Uttar Pradesh Special reference to Buddhist Circuit .................... 90
6.2.1 Salient Features of Uttar Pradesh state Tourism Policy ......................... 90
6.2.2 Plans for Developing U.P. Buddhist Circuit .......................................... 90
6.2.3 New Hotel Policy by Government of Uttar Pradesh .............................. 91
7 GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ..................... 94
7.1 Guidelines for approval of hotels at project stage and classification &
reclassification of hotels .............................................................................................................. 94
7.2 GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF STAND ALONE RESTAURANTS .................. 95
7.2.1 General Terms, Conditions and Application Format for Approval of Restaurants
95
8 GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES FOR INVESTMENT IN HOTELS............................ 99
8.1 Central Government Subsidy Scheme for setting up 1, 2 and 3 Star categories hotel
projects ......................................................................................................................................... 99
8.1.1 Interest Subsidy Scheme ........................................................................ 99
8.1.2 Capital Subsidy Scheme ...................................................................... 100
8.2 State Level Incentives from Uttar Pradesh ..................................................................... 101
9 INVESTMENT IN TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................. 102
9.1 Major Steps in Setting up Hotels and Rest Room Facilities by Foreign Investors
across Buddhist Circuit ............................................................................................................ 102
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
6
9.2 Government Bodies and Officials to be contacted for the investment in the Hotel
Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................ 103
9.3 Approval / Clearances Required for New Tourism Infrastructure Projects ............... 105
10 FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN INDIA - ROUTES AND FACILITATING
AUTHORITIES ........................................................................................................................ 106
10.1 Government Policy on Foreign Equity Investment ........................................................ 106
10.1.1 Automatic Route .................................................................................. 106
10.1.2 FIPB Route........................................................................................... 107
10.2 Foreign Direct Investment in Specific Sectors ................................................................ 108
10.2.1 Hotels and Tourism .............................................................................. 108
10.2.2 Civil Aviation & Airports .................................................................... 108
10.3 Acquisition of Immovable Property in India .................................................................. 109
10.3.1 India: Property Fees and taxes ............................................................. 110
10.3.2 Repatriation of Profits / Sale Proceeds ................................................ 110
11 AIR CONNECTIVITY AND INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE BUDDHIST
CIRCUITS ................................................................................................................................. 112
11.1 Air Connectivity ................................................................................................................. 112
11.1.1 Air Connectivity between Bangkok and major Indian Cities .............. 112
11.1.2 Air Connectivity between Bangkok and Major Asian Cities............... 114
11.2 Initiatives to Promote Buddhist Tourism ........................................................................ 115
11.2.1 Buddhist Tourism in Orissa ................................................................. 115
11.2.2 Bihar Tourism Initiatives ..................................................................... 115
11.2.3 Financial Assistance from JBIC for Buddhist Circuit development in Uttar
Pradesh 115
11.2.6 Mahaparinirvan Express: Buddhist Circuit Special Train ................... 116
12 REGIONAL TOURISM COOPERATION .................................................................... 118
12.1 ............................................................................................................. ASEAN-India 118
12.2 Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) ............................................................................ 119
12.3 BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation) .............................................................................................................................. 121
13 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................ 123
13.1 Location, Infrastructure across Buddhist Circuit .......................................................... 123
13.2 Traveler Inflow, Profile and Need gaps ........................................................................... 125
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
7
13.3 Incentives and Policies Enabling Infrastructure Development in Buddhist Circuits . 127
13.4 Hotel Industry Scenario in Buddhist circuit ................................................................... 128
14 RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................. 129
14.1 For Investors ...................................................................................................................... 129
15 ANNEXURE....................................................................................................................... 131
Planned Outlay for 11th
Five year Plan ................................................................................... 158
Tourism Policy for Uttar Pradesh ........................................................................................... 161
Salient Points of Uttar Pradesh state Tourism Policy ......................................... 161
New Hotel Policy by Government of Uttar Pradesh .......................................... 165
Indicative List1 of Respondents Contacted in the Primary Interviews phase ..................... 182
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
8
1 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND RESEARCH APPROACH
1.1 Terms of Reference
This study is aimed at addressing the following objectives:-
1. To understand the Indian Central and State specific Government policy, laws,
regulations for Hindu and Buddhist religious cities for tourism under ASEAN
India, Mekong Ganga, BIMSTEC framework;
2. To gauge the attractiveness of budget hotels and tourism infrastructure across
identified sites;
3. To understand the triggers and barriers for setting up the hotel and other amenities
in the identified Buddhist circuits;
4. To understand the location preference, facilities and pricing for the identified hotel
concept;
5. To understand the need-gaps and pain points across Buddhist circuit from service
providers, i.e. airlines and tour operators.
1.2 Research Approach and Information Sources
The three pronged approach comprising of secondary / database search, unstructured business
interviews and semi-structured interviews is used to address the study objectives. The details
of the study modules are as under:-
1.2.1 Secondary and Database Search
Extensive secondary and database search has been done for both forming and validating the
study hypotheses pertaining to identified information collectibles. The following databases
subscribed by BIRD, IMRB International have been used for this study:-
ISI Emerging Market (www.securities.com)
ETIG (ET Intelligence Group)
1.2.2 Primary Research Unstructured Business Interviews
Unstructured business interviews (UBIs) have been conducted at various levels to address the
study requirement and gauge the attractiveness of budget hotels under the scope of the study.
The details of UBIs conducted are as under:-
http://www.securities.com/
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
9
Stakeholders / Entities Buddhist Circuit across UP,
Bihar and Nepal cluster
NE - Tawang,
Rumtek and Kolkata
Hotel Owners / Managers 28 3
Tour Operators 8 1
Travelers / Tour Guides 2 Thai Group, 2 Vietnam
Groups, 1 Singapore Group,
Many individual travellers for
SE Asia and Europe
2
Interactions with Monks 8 2
Government Officials
Tourist Offices / Airlines
6 4
Sub total 50 55 12
Total 62 - 67
Consideration for the business interviews conducted
Interviews with hotel are conducted with general manager-level person who can
comment on occupancy levels and seasonality for their hotel property and for the city
in general.
Interviews with tourist are done at tourist hotspots / near pilgrimage sites, hotel
lobbies and coffee joints.
Ministry and government body interviews across states include respective state
ministry and government officials.
Traveler interviews in tier-2 cities include the mix of corporate and leisure travelers
depending upon the traveler profile for respective cities.
1.2.3 Primary Research Semi-structured Interviews
57 semi structured interviews were conducted with group leaders of international groups
across the identified Buddhist circuits. The breakup of these interviews is as under:-
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
10
Buddhist Group Representatives
from : Sample Size
1
Thailand 22
Sri Lanka 18
Others (Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea,
Vietnam, Myanmar etc) 19
Interactions with Monks 8
Total 57
1 These interviews were conducted by experienced IMRB field staff, trained by the Researcher in Charge of the
study. All the interviews were conducted with the group leaders, i.e. the person-in-charge of the groups visiting
the Buddhist Circuit. All interviews were conducted in English language.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
11
2 INDIA: DESTINATION FOR BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE
TOURISM
2.1 Overview of Buddhist Circuit
Introduction
India and Nepal are home to the Buddhisms most holy sites. The Buddha was born as Prince
Siddhartha Gautama in 566 BC in Lumbini garden in present day Nepal. In the years to
come, Prince Siddhartha would become dissatisfied with the state of human existence and
decided to go on a spiritual search for a way to release from the cycle of births and deaths.
His spiritual journey took him around the area of present day Indias states of Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh.
In 531 BC, Prince Siddhartha sat below a pipal tree, later known as Bodhi tree, for his
meditation. In present day Bodhagaya in Bihar, he meditated with single-minded
determination for 49 days under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. From then
onwards he was the Buddha and preached first sermon at Sarnath, near Varanasi.
By the time the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final extinction) in Kushinagar, the
teaching he propagated had large number of followers in Northern Part of India, especially
among warrior and merchant classes. A few months after the Mahaparinirvana, a gathering of
monks, popularly known as the First Buddhist Council, took place at Saptaparni caves near
Rajgir followed by the second & third Buddhist Council hundred years later at Vaishali and
Pataliputra respectively.
2.2 Spread of Buddhism in Asia
Over two thousand years ago, Buddhism began to spread southwards from its place of origin
in northern India to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indo-China and other South East Asian
countries. It also moved northwards into the Himalayan kingdoms (Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal),
Tibet, Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia, and also into China, Korea and Japan.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
12
There are two major divisions of Buddhism - Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada
Buddhism prospered in Southeast Asia, and Mahayana Buddhism is followed under the
Chinese and Tibetan traditions. The figure below shows the spread of Buddhism to various
countries in Asia including South East Asia:
Historically there has been, therefore, a strong linkage between India and the countries where
Buddhism flourished. Followers of Buddhism from these countries particularly from South
and South-East Asia have been traveling to India, the origin of Buddhism, to visit holy sites
which are associated with Lord Buddhas life. Travelers from different Buddhist countries
visiting Buddhist Circuits have been rising significantly over the years.
Several initiatives are underway between India and South & South East Asian Countries to
improve connectivity among Buddhist countries and India. Foremost among them are the
establishment of Tran-Asia Railway, revival of the Silk Route, development of Tamu-
Kalemyo-Kalewa road in Myanmar for physical movement of goods and people through
Moreh trading post in Manipur State of India, the reopening of the Nathu La for better
connectivity between India and China, as well as increased air connectivity among the
participating countries in open-sky policy.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
13
Forging of alliances through improved physical connectivity will not only lead to stronger
trade and political ties but also encourage increased intra-regional movement of the people
for religious purpose. This will create an ideal background for expanding travel associated
with Buddhist pilgrimage. Over the next few years, India can expect to receive substantially
more Buddhist pilgrims coming from countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos,
Vietnam, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, and China.
BUDDHIST CIRCUIT IN INDIA
2.3 Buddhist Circuit in India: Geographical Spread
The geographical spread of the major Buddhist pilgrim places is shown in the exhibit below:-
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
14
Region wise, the location of major Buddhist pilgrim places is shown in the exhibit below:-
Sacred Sites
These are the sites which are part of Dharma Yatra and were associated with the life of
Buddha.
Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Nalanda, Rajgir, Sravasti and Vaishali
Other Buddhist Historical Sites
Sanchi, Ajanta & Elora, Nagarjunakonda, Orissa sites, Tawang, Rumtek, Leh,
Dharamsala, Tabo
Major Buddhist Sites
Every place on the Buddhist circuit has a history steeped in myth and meaning; every
monument stands testimony to faith fused into reality. However, for pilgrims who are looking
to discover the Lord Buddha who had attained all knowledge the main sites of interest would
be:
North East & North East West South
Ladakh Nalanda Ajanta Caves Nagarjunakonda
Tabo Vaishali Junnar Caves
Kapilavastu Rajgir Bhaja Caves
Sarnath Bodhgaya Kanheri Caves
Sankisa Gaya Karla Caves
Kaushambi Sikkim (Rumtek)
Sravasti Tawang
Sanchi Orissa Sites
Dharamsala
In addition to these, Lumbini falls under Nepal
http://www.kushinagar.com/buddhist_circuit/south_india.htm#NAGARJUNAhttp://www.kushinagar.com/buddhist_circuit/north_india.htm#ladakhhttp://www.kushinagar.com/buddhist_circuit/south_india.htm#NAGARJUNA
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
15
Lumbini : (In present day Nepal) the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Bodh Gaya : (In neighbouring state, Bihar) Where he attained enlightenment.
Sarnath : Where he held his first public discourse.
Kushinagar : Where he attained Mahaparinirvana (Demise).
Kapilvastu : Where Prince Siddharth grew up as a child.
Kaushambi : Where Buddha delivered many a sermons.
Sankisa : Where he descended after addressing his mother in Heaven.
Sravasti : His favorite monsoon retreat.
2.4 Buddhist Circuit in Bihar
Tourist Map of Bihar including Buddhist Circuit is exhibited as under:-
2.4.1 Vaishali
Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice
fields. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close to Vaishali, preached his
last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected
one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha
- Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to
commemorate this event. On the outskirts of Vaishali grand double storied Buddhist
monastery is located. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual enfranchisement to
BIHAR
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
16
women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Lord Buddha preached
his last sermon here.
A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon and
announcement of his approaching Nirvana. Vaishali museum houses some of the
archaeological remains discovered here. Facing the museum is the Abhishek Pushkarni which
was holy to Lichchhavis. On one side of the lake is newly built Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a sixth
in the series to be erected in India. Close to the museum is the shaded stupa which is
supposed to have housed the casket relic with the ashes of Buddha.
The following places can be visited by visitors to Vaishali:-
Ashoka Pillar: Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua
Bawan Pokhar Temple: An old temple built in the Pala period stands on the northern
bank of Bawan Pokhar and enshrines beautiful images of several Hindu gods
Buddha Stupa-I: The exterior of this stupa which is now in a dilapidated condition
has a plain surface. One eighth of the sacred ashes of the lord Buddha were enshrined
here in a stone casket
Buddha Stupa-II: Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another
casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation tank): It contains water that was believed to be
sacred in the old days
Shanti Stupa: On the south bank of the coronation tank, built by Buddha Vihar
Society.
Kundalpur: Birth place of Lord Mahavira
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
17
2.4.2 Rajgir
Rajgir, very close to Nalanda, is one of the most important tourist places in India. Being
located in a valley, it was the capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad (State) before the formation
of Patliputra. This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Buddha spent
many years in Rajgir and delivered sermons. The teachings of Buddha were penned down at
Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council. The Jivekarmavan monastery
was the favorite residence for Buddha. Even Bimbisar gave Venuvan Vihar to Buddha for his
residence. It is said that it was at Rajgir that Jivaka the physician treated Buddha after he was
injured by his cousin Devdatta.
Today Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage for the Buddhist. Not
only as a place for worship, Rajgir has come up as health and winter resort with its warm
water ponds. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties which help in the
cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway which takes one
uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the
Ratnagiri hills.
The following places can be visited by the visitors to Rajgir:
Jivakameavan Gardens: Seat of the Royal Physician's dispensary where Lord
Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician
during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara.
Ajatshatru Fort: Built by Ajatshatru (6th century B.C.), the king of Magadha during
the Buddha's time.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
18
Shanti Stupa: The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is located on a 400 meter high hill. The stupa
is built in marble and on the four corners of the stupa are four glimmering statues of
Buddha.
Venu Vana: Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by king Bimbisara for Lord
Buddha to reside. This was the king's first offering to Lord Buddha.
Karanda Tank: It is the tank in which Buddha used to bathe.
Gridhakuta:This was the place where the lord Buddha set in a motion his second
wheel of law for three months even during the rainy season, preached many inspiring
sermons to his disciples
2.4.3 Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It was
here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become
Buddha, the Enlightened One. Buddhism as a religion was really born here and evolved here
through his preaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation and
empathy for every living thing.
There is a magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the Tree from the original sapling still stands
in the temple premises. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries,
cultures and heritages. While its architecture has a distinct stamp of the Gupta era, it has later
ages inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between
7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th
century. Set among the vibrant lawns, the magnificent 52 metre high sandstone temple is
surrounded by the Bodhi tree, beautifully carved votive stupas, chaityas and many images of
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
19
Buddha. It attracts tens of thousands of believers from all over the world. As the place of the
Buddhas Enlightment, Bodh Gaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists.
Inside the temple, in the main sanctum, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting
posture touching the earth by his right hand. In this posture the Buddha accomplished the
supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but it has been guilded by the devotees.
The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with large number of votive stupas. These
stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years ago. Most of them are extremely
elegant in structural beauty. The ancient railings, which surround the temple, are of the first
century BC and are among the very interesting monuments of the century.
Seven spots within the precincts of the Mahabodhi Temple are especially sacred because it
was at these spots that Lord Buddha spent a week each, meditating, after his Enlightenment.
Visitors tread these grounds reverentially and carefully because of their association with the
Great Master.
The following other places can be visited by the visitors to Bodhgaya:
Animesh Lochan Chaitya: Lord Buddha spent one week here looking towards the
great Bodhi tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.
Bodhi Tree: The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fourth succession of the original
tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment.
Chankramana: This marks the sacred spot of the Buddha's meditative
perambulations during the third week after enlightenment.
Ratnagarh: The Buddha spent one week here, where it is believed that five colors
came out of his body.
Other Treasures of Bodhgaya:
o 80 ft Statue of the Buddha, Lotus Tank,
o Buddha Kund,
o Rajayatana, Brahm Yoni,
Monasteries: Chinese Temple & Monastery, Burmese Temple, Buddhist Monastery
of Bhutan, International Buddhist House & Japanese Temple, Thai Temple &
Monastery, Tibetan Monastery, and Archaeological Museum.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
20
2.4.4 Nalanda
Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD, is famous as the ancient seat of learning. The ruins
of the world's most ancient university lies here which is 62 km from Bodhgaya and 90 km
south of Patna. Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this
famous center of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries. Hieun
Tsang stayed here in the 7th century AD and left detailed description of the excellence of
education system and purity of monastic life practiced here. He also gave a vivid account of
both the ambiance and architecture of this unique university of ancient times. In this first
residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks students
from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Gupta kings patronized these
monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard.
Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built
temples, monasteries and viharas here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate
structures here. An International Center for Buddhist Studies was established here in 1951.
The following places can be visited by the visitors to Nalanda:-
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
21
Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex: The total area of the
excavation is about 14 hectares. All the edifices are of the red brick and the gardens
are beautiful. The buildings are divided by a central walk way that goes south to
north. The monasteries or "Viharas" are east of this central alley and the temple or
"Chaiyas" to the west.
Nalanda Archaeological Museum: Opposite the entrance to the ruins of the
university and houses, there is a small but beautiful collection of Buddhist and Hindu
bronzes and a number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were found in
the area.
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara: Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and
research of Pali Literature and Buddhism. This is a new institute, where students from
foreign countries also study.
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall: A new construction in memory of the great Chinese
traveler, Hieun Tsang.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
22
2.5 Buddhist Circuit in Uttar Pradesh
The map of Map of Buddhist Circuit in Uttar Pradesh is exhibited as under:-
2.5.1 Kapilvastu
Once the capital city of the mighty Sakya clan, it was in Kapilvastu where prince Siddhartha
(later Lord Buddha) spent first thirty years of his life. Kapilvastu was the seat of King
Suddhodhana. The site has been excavated between 1971 and 1977 and identified with the
present day township of Piprahwa. One and a half kilometer away from Piprahwa lie the two
excavated mounds. The bigger one, with a thick walled structure was supposedly
Suddhodhana's palace. The second is identified as the ruins of Piprahwa Stupa, erected by
Sakya rulers. While excavating this site an inscribed seal was discovered, which read 'Om
Devaputra Vihare Kapilvastu Bhikku Sanghas' (This is the Devaputra Vihara of the
Kapilvastu Bhikshu Sangha). There also lies a small Sri Lankan monastery, the Mahindra
Mahavihara in the vicinity of these ruins. Meandering their way through Kapilvastu, the
devotes feel transferred thousands of years back to an era when young Prince Siddhartha,
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
23
having seen the pains of life, renounced all worldly riches and pleasures in search of the path
which leads to cessation of suffering and salvation for which he proceeded to Bodhgaya.
2.5.2 Sarnath
After his edification Lord Buddha himself chose Sarnath, for deliverance of his first historic
sermon. He chose Sarnath, due to its immediacy to the world renowned city of Varanasi, the
then hub of scholarly and cultural activities. Being about 240 km. from Bodhgaya and there
being no means of transportation in those days, did not deter Buddha from proceeding to
Sarnath.
About 10 km. from the holy city of Varanasi, Sarnath is the place where more than 2,500
years ago Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The five disciples
who followed him there were surprised to see the mesmerizing, glowing countenance of
Buddha, who was now ready to address his disciples. This moment in history is known as
Dharamachakra Pravartan, which set the Sangha tradition. An imposing conical structure, 34
meters in height, called Dhamekh stupa signifies the "seat of the holy Buddha." There are
also the ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa, besides the original Mulgandhakuti Temple, which
according to Hieun Tsang was about 61 mtr. high. That is the place where Buddha rested and
meditated in Sarnath.
After converting to Buddhism, Emperor Ashoka visited Sarnath in 273-232 B.C. and erected
a smooth glistening stone pillar here, to mark the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha. The
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
24
Lion Capital on top of this pillar is now India's National Emblem. Then there is the
Chaukhandi Stupa, which was a terraced temple during the Gupta period (4th to 6th century)
but later in 1588 A.D., Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, built an octagonal tower to
commemorate the visit of Humayun, the Mughal emperor. His descendant Akbar, finally
raised the present stupa in 1555 A.D. All three stupas-- Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and
Dhamek--are outstanding in their architectural features. A journey to Sarnath would be
incomplete without a visit to the library at Mula Gandha Kuti Vihara, which houses some
amazing frescoes done by Koset Nosu. The Sarnath Museum, not far from the site, also
houses some of the finest specimens of Buddhist sculpture.
2.5.3 Sravasti
After attaining Enlightenment Lord Buddha was constantly mobile spreading his message of
humanity, Universal brotherhood and salvation amongst the different segments of the society.
This service to humanity would stop for a brief period in the monsoons. This period too,
however, would be used by Lord Buddha to meditate and preach, on choosing an ambient
place. It was during this process that Lord Buddha turned towards Sravasti, 134km. from
Lucknow. During Buddha's time, Sravasti was one of the big towns in the entire Indo-
gangetic plain. The town played host to Lord Buddha for 27 years and was his annual rainy
season retreat. Believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast (hence names after
him), the site holds ruins of many ancient Stupas, majestic monasteries and beautiful temples.
This place also has an Anand Bodhi tree, an offspring of the original Bodhi tree, planted by
Buddha's main disciple Anand.
This site of Mahet is spread over an area of 400 acres. The two main attractions here are the
Pakki Kuti and the Kachchi Kuti. Sahet, spread over an area of 32 acres and a little distance
away from Mahet, was the site where Anathpindak, a wealthy merchant, constructed the
Jetavana Vihar. The remnants of several temples, stupas and viharas have been found here.
Likewise the huge World Peace Bell is another attraction, which was established with the
help of the Japanese. The motive was to convey the message of humanity of Lord Buddha
through the bell's toll. There are also the Thai-Sri Lankan-Myanmar-Chinese-Korean
Buddhist Temples, the Shobhnath Temple, Swarna Gandha Kuti, the Ananda Bodhi Tree and
the Angulimal Cave.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
25
2.5.4 Sankisa
Sankisa is identified with the present village of Basantpur in Farrukhabad district of Uttar
Pradesh. Situated on the banks of river Kali, Sankisa is most easily accessible from Agra
which is 175 km away on the Agra-Mainpuri road. The nearest railhead is Pakhna which is
11.5 km away. Sankisa is the place where the Buddha descended from heaven along with
Lord Brahma and Devraj Indra after giving a discourse to his mother, Mayadevi. Emperor
Ashoka erected a pillar here with an elephant capital to mark this holy spot.
2.5.5 Kaushambi
In his bid to spread his message Lord Buddha also visited Kaushambi, 60km. from
Allahabad, counted one amongst the most prosperous cities of those times. It was the Capital
city of the then Vatsa Janpada, with Udayan as the king. This place is believed to have been
visited by Lord Buddha in the 6th and 9th year after attaining enlightenment. He delivered
several sermons here, elevating it to a centre of higher learning for the Buddhists.
Excavations have revealed ruins of an Ashokan Pillar, an old fort and the Ghositaram
Monastery, besides a huge number of sculptures and figurines, cast coins and terracotta,
objects.
2.5.6 Kushinagar
Earlier known as Kusinara, Kushinagar lies 53 km west of Gorakhpur. The place is venerated
as the site of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (his death) on a full moon day. The exact spot is
marked by the cremation stupa-the Rambhar Stupa. Legend has it that after cremation,
Buddha's ashes were divided into eight equal parts and distributed among his eight disciples
who later built these stupas in his memory. A temple dedicated to this event-the
Mahaparinirvana temple, stands amidst a serene grove of Sal trees. The huge statue of the
reclining Buddha, excavated in 1876 at the temple site, presents one of the most stunning
sights for the devout. It is believed to have been installed here by a monk, Haribala, who
ferried it from Mathura, during the reign of King Kumar Gupta in 5th Century A.D.
There are stupas all over Kushinagar, including the relic stupa-Mukutbandhana and the
Chaitayas and Viharas built by royal patrons in the Gupta period. It was several years later
that Chinese travelers Fa Hien, Hiuen Tsang and I. Tsing visited Kushinagar and gave a
graphic account of the place, which by the had fallen to bad times. The existing historical
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
26
sites at Kushinagar can be divided into three Categories: the Mahaparinirvana Temple, which
houses the statue of the reclining Buddha, the Mata Kunwar Shrine, which houses a 10th
Century blue schist image of Buddha, and the Rambhar Stupa, which is supposed to be the
spot where Lord Buddha was cremated. For a long time Kushinagar remained lost in the
jungles till the British rediscovered it in 1880. Most of the religious structures were
constructed between 3rd century BC and the 5th century AD. Extensive excavations have
revealed the presence of a large community of monks living in Kushinagar as late as 11th
Century A.D., while it was an important centre of learning during the reign of the Mauryan
Emperor Ashoka.
The best feature of Khushinagar is that it is a meeting point of various nationalities and
culture. On one side stands a former Chinese temple, which has been converted into an
international meditation centre. Next to it stands a large Burmese temple. Then there is a
small Tibetan monastery with stupas constructed in distinct Tibetan style.
2.5.7 Varanasi
Varanasi stands on the west bank of the holy river Ganga and is at a distance of 678 km fro
Kolkata and 764 km fro Delhi. Sarnath is just 15 km away from Varanasi. Over 2500 years
ago Lord Busddha travelled 200 kms from Bodh Gaya to reach the ghats of Varanasi or Kashi
as it was then called. The Buddha shared his already attained spiritual knowledge with five
Hindu ascetics whom he found at Rishipattana, the Dear Park near Kashi. They became
Buddhas first followers and the first members of Sangha.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
27
Varanasi is regarded as holy place for Hindus. They believe bathing in Ganga which takes
away all sins committed so far. The panorama of Ghats is one of the most beautiful images
of Varanasi. At the heart of the city is Kashi Vishwanath temple, the holiest shrine of Lord
Shiva.
2.5.8 Lumbini (Nepal)
Being just 27 kilometers away and conveniently connected by road from Sonauli, in the state
of Uttar Pradesh, India is obviously 'The Gateway to Lumbini'.
On the full-moon day of May, the year 623 B.C. at the Lumbini Park, near Kapilvastu, a
noble Prince was born. He was named Siddhartha Gautam, meaning "wish fulfilled." An
Ashokan Pillar, built in 249 B.C., marks the exact spot where Buddha was born.
Fa-Hien mentioned this site several hundred years later in his travelogues but was
unfortunately not able to locate it. Faded from public memory, the original site got lost
somewhere in the deep forest. It was located again in 1980, almost 1,500 years after Fa-
Hien's visit and traced to a small village in Nepal. Rudiments of a broken Ashokan Pillar, an
old monastery, and statues of Buddha's mother Maya Devi, all helped in establishing the true
identity of Lumbini.
On the south of this temple lies the bathing pool, Puskarni, where the Queen is believed to
have taken a bath before the delivery. A Nepalese Buddhist temple was built sometime in
1956, followed by a Tibetan monastery of the Sakya order in 1975, which has a beautiful
shrine, adorned with the traditional Buddhist Murals. One can spot young monks studying
Buddha's teachings at this Shrine in their attempt to preserve some vestiges of the lost
Tibetan traditions.
The following are the major places that can be visited by the visitors to Lumbini (Nepal):-
Sagarhawa
Identified by Archaeologists as the "Palace of Massacre of the Shakyas", the ruins of an
ancient water tank were excavated n the forest of Sagarhawa. It lies to the north-west of
Niglihawa.
Gotihawa
Located to the south-west of Tilaurkot, the place is known for an Ashokan Pillar (Whose
upper part, capital is missing) and a huge stupa. According to the legends, the place is also
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
28
associated with Kanakmuni Buddha and Krakuchhanda Buddha. They arrived before Gautam
Buddha.
Aroarakot
This place once had a walled rectangular fortress. The citadel was Buddha's natal town. Lying
to the north-east of Niglihawa, here you can find remains of ancient moat and brick
fortifications reminding you of its glorious place.
Buddhist Temple
The monastery of the Buddhist temple is built inside the surrounding complex of Lumbini in
the manner of modern Buddhist shrines in Nepal. The prayer-hall contains a big image of
Lord Shakyamuni Buddha in the medieval style. Colorful artistic murals decorate the large
walls.
The Ashoka Pillar
Discovered by the now famous German archaeologist Dr. Fuhrer, the pillar is the first
epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha and is also the most visible
land-mark of the auspicious garden. The historic importance of the pillar is evidenced by the
inscription engraved on the pillar (in Brahmi characters). It is said that the Hindu Indian
Emperor Ashok-the Great, who got converted, visited the site in the twentieth year of his
accession to the throne and as a homage to the pure birth-place erected the pillar. The
inscription on the pillar roughly translates as "King Piyadesi the beloved of the Gods, having
been anointed 20 years, came himself and worshipped saying--Here Buddha Sakyamuni was
born. He caused to make a stone (capital) representing a horse and he caused (this) stone
pillar to be erected. Because here the worshipful one was born the village of Lumbini has
been made free of taxes and recipient of wealth."
Image of Maya Devi
In additional to the Ashokan Pillar, the other shrine of importance is the bas-relief image of
Maha Mayadevi-the Queen of King Suddhodan. Enshrined in a small pagoda-like structure,
the image shows Mayadevi, the mother of Prince Siddhartha Gautama. She is seen supporting
herself by holding on with her right hand to a branch of a Sal tree, with the newly born infant
Buddha standing upright on a lotus pedestal on an oval halo. Two other celestial figures are
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
29
depicted in an act of pouring holy water and lotuses bestowed from heaven. Earlier the image
was placed in the famous white temple of Mayadevi besides the pillar-now totally dismantled
to make way for the excavations which revealed the Sanctum Sanctorum, the spot where
Lord Buddha was born.
2.6 Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites in Orissa
The Buddhist heritage in Orissa, though not as popular in the tourist circuit, is remarkable for
its architectureal wealth. The Kalinga war, which transformed Emperor Ashoka into a devout
Buddhist was fought on the banks of the river Daya near the temple city of Bhubaneshwar,
the capital of Orissa.
Ashoka's rock edicts - Ashoka's rock edicts, dating from 260 BC, at Dhauli, 8 kms
from Bhubaneshwar, stand testimony to his conversion to the gentle faith of the
Buddha. These two 'Kalinga Edicts' differ from other Ashoka edicts which expound
Buddhist principles.
Caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri - Dating from 2nd century BC, located on two
separate hillocks separated by a road. At Udayagiri is the famous Hati Gumpha
(elephant cave) of King Kharavela.
Ratnagiri, Udaigiri and Lalitagiri - Ratnagiri was a great centre of Vajrayana
Buddhist till the 12th century and the Mahavihara of Ratnagiri played a great role in
the development of the Kalachakratantra during the 10th century.
In Udaigiri, 5 kms from Ratnagiri, the remains of a sprawling monastery has been
recently excavated, that can be reached through a long stairway.. Lalitagiri is situated
on a small hill and has a large number of votive stupas and the remains of a chaitya
hall.
2.7 Other Buddhist Excursions Sites
Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh)
Located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh this hill station with its magnificent view of
the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas is the seat of His Holiness, the XIVth Dalai Lama and
the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile. The town has a large Tibetan refugee
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
30
settlement. The Dalai Lama's temple, Namgyal monastery, houses giant stucco statues of the
Buddha, Avalokiteshwara and Padmasambhava. Dharamsala also boasts of the Library of
Tibetan Works and Archives, the beautiful monastery of the Nechung Oracle where one can
witness daily services, the Men-tsee-khang, the Centre for Tibetan Medicine etc
Tabo (Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh)
Tabo is located at a hight of 3050 metres in the magnificently isolated Spiti valley in
Himachal Pradesh. Founded in 996 AD by the great scholar, Rinchen Zangpo, as an
institution for advanced learning, Tabo celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1996.
The monastery has some rare tangkhas and clay statues of the Buddha painted in the
Kashmiri style. Not easily accessible and even today, the weather permits trekking for only a
limited period in the year.
Leh (Ladakh)
The famous Buddhist gompas (monasteries) are the hallmark of Leh. Hemis, the largest of
these gompas, founded in the 17th century, has as excellent library and is famous for housing
the largest tangkha in India. Other gompas like Shey (15 kms from Leh), Spituk (8 kms from
Leh), Thikse (17 kms south of Leh) are also easily accessible. However, their annual festivals
are held during the winter months. Stok Gompa and the Stok Palace Museum (10 kms south
of Leh) are musts for visitors to Leh because of the rare collection of paintings and tangkhas.
Alchi has one of the most beautiful monasteries in the Himalayan region and the 70 kms road
journey from Leh is well worth the effort. Rinchen Zangpo founded Alchi Gompa in the 11th
century and it has some beautiful mural paintings dating from that period.
Rumtek and Pemagyantse (Sikkim)
Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, the eastern Indian state of Sikkim, is famous for its
gompas and their fascinating monastic ceremonies. Rumtek is the seat of His Holiness, the
XVIth Gyawla Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. The
monastery at Pemagyantse is 140 kms west of Gangtok. Situated at an altitude of 2085
meters, Pemagyantse presents a panoramic view of the high Himalayas. Legend has it that the
great tantric saint, Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, searching for a place to meditate, shot
an arrow in the air. The place where the arrow landed is where Pemagyantse monastery
stands.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
31
Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh)
Tawang monastery, situated at a height of 3400 meters, in the far west of the northeast Indian
state of Arunachal Pradesh, is one of the largest monasteries in India. The present monastery
was built at the site of an ancient monastery in the 17th century. The VIth Dalai Lama was
born near here. The main attractions are a gigantic 10 meters gilded statue of the Buddha, the
large collection of priceless manuscripts, books and tangkhas, which depict the Buddha and
tutelary deities in different poses.
Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)
The complex at Sanchi has some of the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist architecture.
The Jataka stories about the Buddha's earlier incarnations, and episodes of the Buddha's life,
form the main subject matter in the sculpted architraves of the Chaitya, temples, pillars and
monasteries. They present a fascinating array of complex images narrated in a linear fashion.
The following places can be visited by the visitors to Sanchi :-
The Great Stupa - Emperor Ashoka built this famous stupa in the 32nd century BC.
Ashoka Pillar - Considered to be one of the finest examples of Ashokan pillars.
Gupta Temple - This 5th century AD temple is one of the earliest known examples of
temple architecture in India.
Sanchi Museum -This has a small collection of sculptures from the site (caskets,
pottery, parts of the gateway) of which the Ashoka lion capital, a yakshi and a
beautiful Buddha in red sandstone are noteworthy.
Ajanta & Ellora
Situated in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, Ajanta has acquired world renown for its
famed paintings. The caves of Ajanta provided the canvas for innumerable paintings created
in beginning of the 2nd century BC, and continued for 900 years. The paintings at Ajanta
flow into one another, forming an endless kaleidoscope of colour and motion. Although the
Jataka tales from the main theme of the paintings also depicted are scenes from contemporary
courtly life.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
32
A visit to Ajanta is incomplete without visiting the nearby caves at Ellora. Starting from the
7th century AD, Ellora carried on the great legacy of Ajanta and was subject to Buddhist and
later Hindu and Jain influences.
Nagarjunakuonda
Buddhist religion spread to Sri Lanka and Burma from the bustling Bay of Bengal ports of
the Andhra coast. One of India's richest Buddhist sites, Nagarjunakonda, ancient Sri Parvata,
now lies almost entirely under the Nagarjunasagar Dam. The monasteries and chaityas were
reconstructed on top of a hill called Nagarjunakonda , which rises from the middle of the
lake. The island takes its name from the Buddhist monk, Nagarjuna, who lived around the
turn of the 2nd century AD and was the exponent of the philosophy of sunyata (void).
2.8 Popular Routes to Cover Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites
From the point of entry into India at one of the four metros, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai &
Chennai, it is best for the visitors to travel to either Patna or Varanasi which are well
connected by air and rail to all these metros and make ideal gateways for visiting the sacred
sites. Mostly Buddhist pilgrimage group cover the Buddhas pilgrimage sites starting from
his birth place, Lumbini, and ending the pilgrimage at the place where Buddha took nirvana,
Kushinagara. The route for various Buddhist pilgrimage sites is pictorially shown below:-
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
33
However, the above route is not necessarily the only option available to the pilgrims. To
facilitate travel by the pilgrims to sacred sites listed below the itineraries (two options) which
would be helpful for the visitors.
Option 1: Patna Bodh Gaya Nalanda Patna Vaishali Varanasi Kushinagar
Lumbini Kapilvastu Sravasti Varanasi
Option 2: Patna Bodh Gaya Nalanda Patna Vaishali Kushinagar
Lumbini Sravasti Varanasi Sarnath Varanasi
Varanasi & Gaya are also now connected by air with some of the overseas destinations (flight
details provided in the later part).
2.8.1 Road Distance among the important sites
DISTANCE CHART(All distance are in kilometers and approximately calculated)
Patna -
Bodhgaya
125 Patna -
Nalanda
90 Nalanda -
Rajgir
12 Rajgir -
Bodhgaya
80
Bodhgaya-
Varanasi
275 Varanasi -
Gorakhpur
210 Gorakhpur -
Kushinagar
56 Gorakhpur -
Lumbini
125
Lumbini - India
Border
25 Lumbini -
Balrampur
225 Balrampur -
Sravasti
15 Lumbini -
Kapilvastu
(India)
110
Kapilvastu
(India) -
Balrampur
130 Sravasti -
Lucknow
175 Lucknow -
Sankasia
300 Sankasia - Agra 170
Agra - Delhi 200 Kushinagar -
Patna
350 Patna -
Vaishali
70 Vaishali -
Kushinagar
280
Varanasi -
Allahabad
130 Allahabad -
Kaushambi
54 Varanasi -
Sarnath
12 Lucknow -
Agra
363
Modes for reaching the Buddhist Sacred Sites
Vaishali
o Air: The nearest airport is Patna (70 Kms).
o Rail: Hajipur and Muzaffarpur are nearest railway stations
o Road: Vaishali is well connected by road to Patna, Muzaffarpur and Hazipur
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
34
Rajgir
o Air: The nearest airport is at Patna (101 kms)
o Rail: Though Rajgir itself has a railway station yet the nearest convenient railhead is
at Gaya .
o Road: Rajgir is connected by road to Patna - 110 kms, Nalanda - 12 kms, Gaya - 78
kms, Pawapuri - 38 kms, Bihar Sharif - 25 kms etc.
Bodhgaya
o Air: The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and Patna 135 kms.
o Rail: The nearest railway station is Gaya (17km).
o Road: Bodhgaya is well connected by road to Gaya (17km), Nalanda (101 km),
Rajgir (78 km), Patna (135km), Varanasi (252 km), Calcutta (495km)
Nalanda
o Air: The nearest airport is at Patna (90 km.)
o Rail: Though Rajgir (12 km) is the nearest railway station to Nalanda yet the nearest
convenient rail head is at Gaya 95 km.
o Road: Nalanda is connected by good road with Rajgir 12 km, Bodh Gaya 110 km,
Gaya 95 km, Patna 90 km, Pawapuri 26 km, Bihar Sharif 13 km etc.
Sarnath
o Air: Varanasi is the nearest airport
o Rail: Varanas (12 km) and Mughal Sarai (16km) are the nearest railway station which
are in turn well connected with Patna, Kolkata, Delhi & Mumbai
o Road: Varanasi (12 km) and Bodh Gaya via Mohania (240 km)
Sravasti
o Airport: Lucknow is the nearest airport (150 km)
o Rail: Balarampur ( 19 km) is the nearest station
o Road: Lucknow via Bahraich (151 km), Kapilavastu via Naugarh ( 147 km) and
Varanasi via Lucknow ( 401 km)
Kushinagar
o Air: Varanasi (280km) is the nearest airport
o Rail: Gorakhpur (56 km)
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
35
o Road: Gorakhpur (51 km), Lumbini via Gorakhpur (180 km), Kapilavastu (148 km)
Kapilavastu
o Air: Varanasi (312 km) is the nearest airport
o Train: Gorakhpur is the best alternative though Siddharthanagar ( 20 km) is the
nearest station
o Road: Well connected with Gorakhpur ( 97km)
Lumbini
o Air: Varanasi (413 km) and Bhairawaha ( Nepal 13km)
o Rail: Gorakhpur via Sonauli (123 km)
o Road: Gorakhpur via Sonauli (123 km), Kushinagar vis Gorakhpur ( 180 km),
Kapilavastu via Sonauli( 93 km), Sonauli(25 km)
Sanchi
o Air: The nearest airport is at Bhopal (72 km)
o Rail: It lies on the rail route between Delhi and Bhopal. On the Delhi-Mumbai
railway line, the nearest railhead is Vidisha (10 km).
o Road: There is regular bus service from Sanchi to Bhopal.
Dharmasala
o Air: Nearest airport is at Gaggal (13km)
o Rail: Pathankot is the nearest railway station with overnight trains to Delhi
o Road: Well connected by road to Pathankot (90 kms), Chandigarh (248), Manali (253
kms), and Shimla (317 kms). There are daily buses to Delhi (521 kms) as well.
Tabo
o Road Seasonal access by road to Manali and to Simla. A bus journey from Kaza, the
headquarters of Spiti district, to Manali, takes twelve hours. Tabo is 33 kms, and a
slow two-hour drive by bus from Kaza.
Rumtek
o Air:The nearest airport is at Bagdogra ( 124 kms from Gangtok)
o Rail: The nearest railway stations are at Siliguri, 114 kms, and New Jalpaiguri, 126
kms from Gangtok.
o Road: Gangtok is 24 km from Rumtek by road.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
36
3 UNDERSTANDING TRAVELER DYNAMICS
3.1 Taking a deep dive into destinations
From the perspective of tour planning and business potential, various destinations can be
classified into four categories:
Destinations of prime importance: These refer to four prime sacred sites i.e.
o Lumbini: The place where lord Buddha was born (Nepal)
o Bodhgaya: The place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment (Bihar,
India)
o Sarnath: The place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon (U.P, India)
o Kushinagar: The place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana i.e.
final exit from earth.
These sites hold high significance for pilgrim travelers traveling across the
Buddhist circuits. Some travelers were found to be making short trips with a
purpose of visiting one or all of the sacred sites.
Destinations of secondary importance: These refer to sacred sites (other than places
of prime importance) located in the sates of Uttar Pradesh (U.P) and Bihar in India.
These include following:
o Bihar: Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali
o Uttar Pradesh: Sravasti, Kapilavastu
It is essential for every Buddhist to visit these four places once in his lifetime
- A Buddhist Monk
There are many groups who visit for short duration of 4-7 days and visit only 4
sacred sites
- Group guide, one of the leading tour operators
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
37
The historical significance of these sites has already been covered in detail in
chapter 1 of the report. Interactions with tour operators and travelers revealed that
these places also attract tourist interest as (i) Most of these places are located
close to the sites of primary importance (ii) Most of these places had been
personally visited by Lord Buddha during his life time. A significant number of
the groups/travelers visiting Buddhist circuits were found visiting these sites
Transit/Gateway points to the sacred sites: Most of the primary and secondary sites
mentioned above are small cities/towns in remote areas. Few large cities/towns in
these states act as transit/gateway points for travelers who visit Buddhist circuit
o New Delhi: The capital of India acts as an entry/exit point for many groups
visiting Buddhist circuits in India.
o Varanasi: Located in U. P (15 kms away from Sarnath), Varanasi is one of
the prime places of tourist interest owing to its religious significance in
Hinduism. The city has a small airport with flight connectivity from key
Buddhist countries attracting tourists in India (Sri Lanka and Thailand), as
well as major Indian cities. Hence, it acts as entry/exit point for many groups
visiting India from the aforementioned countries.
o Gaya: Thai Airways international operate daily flights from Bangkok to Gaya
for six months out of the year. The airport is conveniently located 15
kilometers from Bodhagaya. It acts as a main entry point for Buddhist
pilgrims from Thailand to India. Chartered flights from Buddhist countries
such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka also operate services to Gaya airport.
o Patna: The capital of Bihar has road connectivity with key sites in Bihar (115
Kms from Bodgaya, 100 Kms from Rajgir, 56 kms from Vaishali). Also, the
city has an airport having flight connectivity with key Buddhist countries and
major cities in India. Hence, more often than not, Patna acts as a transit point.
Mostly groups/travelers visit for 12-14 days and cover primary and secondary sites
- Group guide, one of the leading tour operators
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
38
o Lucknow: Is the capital of state of U.P (151 Kms from Sravasti) and one of
the leading Tier I cities in India. The city offers good rail and road
connectivity with sites across Buddhist circuit, and acts as transit point for
some groups visiting Buddhist circuit.
o Kolkata: Is a leading metro city in eastern India and has connecting flights to
Bodhgaya and leading Buddhist countries attracting traveler inflow. The city
acts as an entry/exit point for many groups (especially those from Thailand)
traveling to Buddhist circuit in UP and Bihar.
o Kathmandu: This acts as an entry point for tourists groups that either
commence their trip from Nepal and visit Lumbini prior to visiting sacred
sites in India or an exit point for groups who end their religious trip in
Lumbini.
Excursion sites: Apart from major sites mentioned above there are few upcoming
excursion sites spread all across India
o North India :
Kaushambhi (UP)
Sankisa (UP)
These cities are associated closely with Buddhism and increasingly
gaining tourist interest because of proximity to key sites.
Although instances of groups staying overnight are rare but many groups do stop
over to have meals
Manager, A leading hotel in Lucknow
This year (2010) during the tourist season there were direct flights from Colombo to
Varanasi for two days a week
- Group guide, one of the leading tour operators
Patna, because of its connectivity to various sites, acts as a transit point for many
groups who stay overnight and then leave to desired destination
- A leading hotel owner in Patna
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
39
o Central and West India: Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Ajanta and Ellora
(Maharashtra). During interactions with tour operators and travelers, it was
understood that few travelers currently visit these sites, as they do not fall in
the main circuit.
o Eastern India
Orissa: Key sites include Udaygiri, Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri
North East: Tawang and Rumtek
During interactions with operators it was understood that negligible traveler
groups visit these sites because of (i) paucity of time (ii) distance from the
primary sites and limited connectivity (iii) security concerns (especially for
sites in North East).
3.2 Tourist Inflows in the Buddhist Circuit States
The exhibit below shows the domestic and foreign tourist (leisure, business and pilgrimage)
arrivals in the Buddhist Circuit states in the last two years:-
According to me not more than 10% groups coming to India for
Buddhist pilgrimage would be visiting Sanchi and Ajanta and Ellora
Sanchi has recently started attracting some groups because of promotion
and marketing initiatives by Tourism ministry in Madhya Pradesh
A leading tour operator in India
Kaushambhi and Sankisa are increasingly gaining tourist interest because
of proximity to key sites. Tour groups need to extend their travel plans
maximum by two days to visit these locations
Manager, A leading hotel in Lucknow
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
40
(Figures in Thousands 1,000s)
S.
No.
State / UT 2008 2009 GR
2009/2008
% Share in
2009
Rank in 2009
DOM. FOR. DOM. FOR. DOM. FOR. DOM. FOR. DOM. FOR.
1 Arunachal Pradesh
149 3 195 4 30.7 30.6 0 0 30 30
2 Bihar 11890 346 15686 423 31.9 22.4 2.4 3.1 11 9
3 Orissa 6358 44 6892 46 8.4 3.9 1.1 0.3 16 19
4 Sikkim 461 19 548 18 18.9 -7.4 0.1 0.1 25 21
5 Uttar Pradesh
124843 1610 134832 1533 8 -4.8 20.7 11.2 2 4
6 Other States
419281 12091 491886 11694
Total 562982 14113 650039 13718 15.5 -2.8 100 100
Source : Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
* Estimated using all-India growth rate
** Estimated using tourist visits figures of sample hotels furnished by Delhi Govt.
Revised figure of domestic tourist visits for 2008
State wise salient features:-
1. Uttar Pradesh It has attracted 1.533 million foreign tourists in 2009. This tourist
inflow mainly comprises of tourists visiting Agra, Varanasi and other places falling
under Buddhist circut. Destination wise details of tourists visiting Buddhist circuit is
provided in the subsequent section.
2. Bihar It has attracted 423 thousands foreign tourists in 2009. Despite the drop in the
overall tourist inflow in India, the tourist inflow in Bihar has increased by 22.4%.
Majority of the foreign tourist are visiting Bodhgaya. However, it is understood that
many tourist are from adjacent country of Nepal.
3. Orissa The inflow of foreign tourist in Orissa is due to Puri and Konark. These are
the major Hindu religious destinations.
4. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim The sudden spurt is driven by the domestic tourist
inflow into these states. The number of overseas visitors is very less and has remained
stagnant over the last few years.
3.3 Inflow of Travelers across Buddhist Circuit
3.3.1 Overall
Profile of tourists visiting the Buddhist circuit constitutes of both domestic and foreign
travelers. Domestic travelers although traveling in huge proportions primarily includes locals
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
41
from nearby cities who visit for short trips (less than a day) and do not require any
accommodation facilities1. The table below reveals that there has been substantial increase in
number of travelers across all the destinations in the main Buddhist circuit. Bodhgaya, Rajgir
and Kushinagar have shown substantial rise in foreign traveler inflow. Compounded annual
growth rate (CAGR) for foreign traveler inflow in last four years is recorded highest in Rajgir
at 101% followed by Bodhgaya at 42%. Sravasti and Kushinagar also recorded reported
CAGR of more that 30%.
* The number of travelers in Sarnath is substantially high as it includes large proportions of travelers from non Buddhist nations. Their prime motive for travel to India is to visit Varanasi. They visit Sarnath as an excursion site because of the close proximity and do not travel
across the complete circuit
Foreign Travelers across Buddhist Circuit Source: State Tourism Boards
The reason for notable growth can be attributed to various initiatives taken by state/central
government to improve accessibility and connectivity across the main tourist circuit. Few
interesting responses captured during visits across the circuit are highlighted below:
1 An exception to this is Varanasi, which attracts huge proportions of domestic travelers all across the country
who visits for longer duration.
Foreign Travelers Inflow at various sites across Buddhist Circuit
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 (E) CAGR
UTTAR PRADESH (U.P) Sarnath* 201725 215911 241891 284510 290000 9% Kushinagar 13328 14128 26349 41638 44000 35% Kapilavastu 18888 17566 18253 18483 19000 0% Sravasti 28642 75428 75553 80757 85000 31% Kaushambhi 4279 4621 5212 5889 6500 11% Saansika 5000 6000 7200 7920 8500 14%
Sub Total 271862 333654 374458 439197 453000 14% BIHAR Bodhgaya 37001 52917 120431 143880 150000 42% Rajgir/Nalanda 5491 10885 32572 85497 90000 101% Vaishali 8865 11461 9475 16709 17000 18%
Sub Total 51357 75263 162478 246086 257000 50% TOTAL 323219 408917 536936 685283 710000 22%
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
42
3.3.2 Seasonality
The foreign inflow of travelers across the Buddhist circuit is highly seasonal. The tourist
inflow starts gaining momentum in mid August when travelers from Sri Lanka begin to travel
and reaches its peak in December and January. These two months cumulatively accounted for
approx 82% and 70% of total traveler inflow in Bodhgaya in the year 2007 and 2008
respectively. The key reason for the same was understood to be the extremely hot weather
conditions in India during April to August.
2007 %age of
total 2008
%age of
total
Temperatures in
degree Celsius
(Approx.)
Min Max
Jan 55030 46.0% 48334 33.6% 8 24
Feb 4615 3.9% 10936 7.6% 10 25
Mar 4705 3.9% 7611 5.3% 13 32
Apr 520 0.4% 1762 1.2% 20 38
May 334 0.3% 665 0.5% 26 40
Jun 343 0.3% 564 0.4% 27 45
Jul 754 0.6% 1286 0.9% 27 42
Aug 1127 0.9% 3687 2.6% 27 42
Sep 1226 1.0% 2352 1.6% 27 42
Oct 2660 2.2% 10305 7.2% 22 33
Nov 5050 4.2% 6777 4.7% 12 30
Dec 43259 36.2% 49601 34.5% 10 26
Foreign Travelers in Bodhgaya (Month Wise) Source: State Tourism Board
Signifies Medium Demand Signifies High Demand
This year there were direct flights by Thai Airways and chartered flights by many airlines to
Bodhgaya. This has been of great help to tourism in Buddhist circuit
The completion of four lane highway connecting Bodhgaya and Varanasi has reduced travel
time substantially
Although there is room for improvement but the overall connectivity across the Buddhist
circuit in Bihar has improved in last three years
Tour operators in India
ATTRACTIVENESS OF BUDGET HOTELS AT BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA
2010, BIRD, IMRB International - Confidential and Proprietary
43
3.3.3 Country Wise
The data available from tourism board in Bihar for country wise inflow of travelers during
peak season (October March) for Bodhgaya reveals that inflow of travelers is spread across
various Buddhist countries. It should be noted that among all the countries from which
travelers travel to India China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Thailand have witnessed highest growth
rates in terms of compounded annual growth rates (CAGR). Among the top 4 countries in
terms of growth rates travelers, Sri Lanka scored number one in volume terms followed by
Thailand. China, on account of ongoing Buddhist renaissance and efforts by Indian
government to allure tourist has witnessed remarkable growth in traveler inflow at 352%
CAGR in the last three years. Apart from top four destinations, tourists from Singapore and
Vietnam have also picked up in the last two years and are expected to rise in medium to long
term.
Country 2007 2008 2009 (E) YoY
(2008 and 2009)
CAGR
China 380 3480 7770 55% 352%
Japan 890 9076 10016 9% 235%
Sri Lanka 3437 11894 29784 60% 194%
Thailand 5765