Memorandum signed between India and Sri Lanka last month sought to facilitate an exchange of tourists between the two nations.
The Ramayana Circuit, a programme initiated by the tourism ministry to facilitate tourists to places connected to the epic, will now be extended to neighbouring Sri Lanka. A memorandum, signed between Sri Lanka and India on June 23, seeks to facilitate an exchange of tourists between the two nations.
While in Sri Lanka, Indian tourists will be taken on a tour of Ashoka Vatika, the palace of Lankan king Ravana where Sita was kept in the legend, the fabled Ram Setu, the battleground of the epic, Yudaganwa, and Nagdeep, where Hanuman is said to have first set foot on in the epic. In India, the religious spots to which doors of Lankan tourists will be opened are Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, and Saravasti, all significant Buddhist tourist sites.
"The India cities chosen for the Ramayana Circuit end at Rameshwaram, and most of Sri Lanka's majorly Buddhist population do not have any religiously-significant place. The exchange will focus on various facilities like guidance, easier travel, and packages which will be cheaper than what is available," said an official from the ministry.
The official said that facilities for Indian tourists in Sri Lanka will include picking up from the airport, food and stay facilities, with arrangements for vegetarian food for Indians, etc. "Language is sometimes a problem, and so there will be guides to help Indians," said the official.
The MoU signed by the secretaries of the tourism ministries of both the countries, is called 'India- Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Tourism' and will cost about ?245 crore. An interpretation centre in both countries, and a gallery with 3D-4D shows are also on the anvil.
Modi to inaugurate Buddhist Conclave
The annual International Buddhist Conclave, to be held in Sarnath between October 3 to October 6 will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gathering of monks, litterateurs, researchers, and heads of states, and dignitaries will see the participation of over 10 ASEAN and SAARC countries. Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Taleb D Rifai will also be a part of the programme.
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