Govt To Develop ‘Shanti Stupa’ At Dhauli As Tourist Destination, Says Odisha Minister In Assembly

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated steps to develop ‘Shanti Stupa’ at Dhauli on the outskirts of Bhubanewar to include it in the religious tourism circuit of the country.

This was stated by Tourism Minister Aswini Kumar Patra in reply to a question of Jatni MLA of Congress Suresh Routray in the Assembly on Saturday. The minister said the government is preparing a masterplan for development of Dhauli Hill.

Dhauli is one of major Buddhist stupas and the devotees from across the world visit it. Besides providing facilities for the Buddhist devotees, the place will have amenities to attract the national as well as international tourists as per the government plan, the minister added.

The Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha had built the white architecture marvel in 1972. It is located on the banks of river Daya where king Ashoka had fought a fierce battle with soldiers of Kalinga (Odisha name at the time).