Bharatiya Ambassador in Nepal Evaluates Advancement of Bharat’s Buddhist Culture and Heritage Center

The Bharatiya Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, recently visited the construction site of the India International Center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage (IICBCH) in Nepal to assess the progress of the project. The center aims to promote Buddhist culture and heritage while prioritizing environmental sustainability.

As per officials from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the project has achieved significant progress, with 40 percent completion within 8 months since the ground-breaking ceremony held in August 2023. The center, situated in Lumbini, Nepal, holds immense significance as it marks the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

Vijayant Thapa, the project director at IBC, emphasized the significance of environmental consciousness in the construction of the center. He stated that the building will be the first of its kind in Nepal, boasting net-zero carbon emissions. This aligns with Buddhist principles of mindfulness and environmental stewardship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Lumbini in 2022, laid the foundation stone for the Buddhist Center in collaboration with then-Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The formal process for construction began a year later, overseen by the International Buddhist Confederation.

The project, entrusted to ACC-Gorakha, an Indo-Nepal Joint Venture company, is estimated to cost around one billion Indian rupees. Devraj Gautam, the technical director of the construction company, highlighted the progress made, including the completion of foundation laying and preparation for the second phase of slab casting.

The centerpiece of the center will be a modern building shaped like a blooming lotus, symbolizing purity and enlightenment in Buddhist tradition. It will feature prayer halls, meditation centers, a library, an exhibition hall, a cafeteria, offices, and other amenities, providing a comprehensive experience for visitors.

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Upon completion, the India International Center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage will serve as a global hub for information related to Gautam Buddha, attracting pilgrims and tourists from around the world.

Its state-of-the-art infrastructure, coupled with its commitment to sustainability, promises to offer a transformative experience for all who visit.