UP Shines Buddhist Heritage to Southeast Asia with ‘Bodhi Yatra’
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath with members of international delegation (Image credit UP Info Dept)
50 delegates from 5 ASEAN countries participate in spiritual-cultural tour across major pilgrimage sites
By AMIT KUMAR
LUCKNOW, June 8, 2025 — In a significant push to put Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist heritage on the global tourism map, the Yogi Adityanath-led government hosted a high-profile international delegation as part of the ‘Bodhi Yatra’, held from June 2 to 7 under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) initiative.
A 50-member delegation from five Southeast Asian countries—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—took part in the cultural and spiritual tour, which covered key destinations on Uttar Pradesh’s famed Buddhist circuit. The delegation included Buddhist monks, travel agents, and social media influencers, aiming to promote cross-cultural engagement and global visibility of the state’s spiritual legacy.
The initiative was organized jointly by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the state government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is making consistent efforts to boost heritage tourism and enhance global awareness of Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist legacy. He emphasized that the Bodhi Yatra was designed to introduce international delegates to significant Buddhist sites such as Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar, Sarnath, as well as iconic cities like Varanasi, Lucknow, and Agra.
During the week-long tour, the delegation visited several prominent sites including the Ananda Bodhi Tree, Jetavana Monastery, Piprahwa Stupa, Mahaparinirvana Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Ashokan Pillar, and various Buddhist museums. These locations reflect the spiritual depth and historical importance of the region in the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.
In Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the international guests and highlighted the deep-rooted Buddhist traditions of Uttar Pradesh. The delegation was accorded traditional hospitality, with cultural presentations and briefings on the significance of each stop on the Bodhi Yatra.
The tour also featured business-to-business (B2B) meetings aimed at enhancing cultural and tourism linkages between India and ASEAN nations. According to officials, these engagements are expected to contribute to increased tourism flow and stronger people-to-people ties.
Minister Singh added that the state is actively improving infrastructure, enhancing tourist facilities, and preserving the sanctity of heritage sites to position Uttar Pradesh as a key global destination for spiritual tourism.
The ‘Bodhi Yatra’ marks another milestone in the state government’s broader strategy to integrate heritage promotion with economic development through sustainable and inclusive tourism.
Uttar Pradesh had also showcased the state’s tourism footprints during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. The state government had hosted diplomats of several countries during the mega religious congregation to pitch Uttar Pradesh on the global tourism map.
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
About The Author
