Posted on 05/11/2003 9:46:40 PM PDT by chance33_98
Theme park on Lord Buddha to be set up in Bodh Gaya
May 9, 2003 9:22pm
PATNA: The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) has decided to set up a theme park on the life of Lord Buddha at Bodh Gaya. The Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has been hired to prepare a detailed proposal of the theme park and a light and sound at Bodh Gaya.
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The BSTDC, as a part of its revenue-generating programme, has decided to utilise the unused land on the premises of its Siddharth Hotel at Bodh Gaya. The unused space will be utilised as a first-of-its-kind theme park on the life and works of Lord Buddha. Several statues depicting his life sequence-wise, right from birth till his 'Parinivana, would be installed.
According to official sources, the ITDC has recently submitted a detailed proposal to the BSTDC for approval. Besides the theme park, a modern light-and-sound system would also be installed at the same venue. This would be one of the mega projects of the BSTDC, said an official.
Soon after the approval of the project, the BSTDC would approach the Centre for financial assistance for this mega project. The corporation, which has earned a record profit of Rs 2.27 crore in 2002-2003, as against the last year's profit of Rs 2.12 crore, will charge an entry fee for this theme park.
The decision to set up the theme park in Bodh Gaya has been taken in view of the importance of the place in order to encourage Buddhist pilgrims.
Another major attraction Maner would soon be developed as an important tourist destination of Bihar to attract transit tourists and weekened visitors of Patna. A high-level meeting has been convened on Friday at the site to chalk out its detailed plan.
Several senior government officials including tourism secretary R S Tiwary, BSTDC MD Atul Prasad, DM and DDC Patna are expected to attend the meeting. A preliminary meeting has already been held at Maner. It has been decided to develop the landscape, cafetaria, lighting of the monuments, amusement park, restoration of monuments, watch tower, accommodation and beautification of pond. This another mega project is estimated at the cost of Rs 40 crore for which the Centre is expected to provide substantial financial assistance, sources said.
Just the kind of thing Buddhists might get a kick out of. Can't see it working for some other religions.
You don't really think that would be allowed do you?
Didn't Jim Bakker's amusement park draw many thousands, if not millions, of visitors?
Yes, that was highly amusing. Like when the New York Times itself makes the news.
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