Sites associated with Xuan Zang introduced for tourists

23 Jan 2009, 0033 hrs IST, Pranava K Chaudhary, TNN
PATNA: Now tourists can follow the footprints of famous Chinese traveller Xuan Zang (Hieun Tsang) in Nalanda district. In a first of its kind,
archaeological and meditation trails of sites associated with the Chinese traveller in Nalanda have been introduced for tourists.

Xuan Zang stayed here in the 7th century AD and left detailed description of the excellence of education system and purity of monastic life practised here.

Developed by a village community, `Nepura Gram Paryatan Vikas Samiti', of Nepura village in Nalanda district, the concept entails promotion of rural tourism.

UNDP has identified Nepura for its project, `Endogenous Tourism', which was developed in collaboration with the Government of India's ministry of tourism for promoting local crafts and culture. One of the 15 rural tourism destinations in the country, Nepura is the lone village in Bihar selected for the project.

Nepura, four km away from the remains of ancient Nalanda University and nine km from Rajgir, the first capital of Magadhan empire, has emerged as one of a few centres of traditional art villages in the country.

Samiti's secretary Nagendra K Sharma told TOI: "Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, the deemed university managed by the Union ministry of culture, has done extensive research in tracing out sites associated with Xuan Zang in Nalanda district. They have given us the list of 36 sites which are associated with the footprints of the Chinese traveller."

Talking about the archaeological trail, he said: "We have some of the new archaeological sites which Xuan Zang mentioned in his travel accounts. The trail would be adventurous and cater to the curiosity of tourists mainly from China and Japan."

Similarly, peaceful settings related to the events of Lord Buddha's life and stories would inspire visitors to do some soul searching, Sharma said. Some of the identified sites are: Place where Buddha preached to his son Rahul, meeting of Bimbisara and Buddha, relic stupa of Sariputra, Venuvan, Pipala cave, Griddhakuta and stone of Sariputta.

"We have personally visited all these sites some of which are not easily accessible to the visitors because of dense forest and hilly tracks," he said. At least half a dozen local guides have been trained to guide tourists. All these guides are proficient in various languages, including Chinese, Japanese, English and Hindi. Now tourists can meditate at these meditation centres.