Bhubaneswar, July 15: In a major initiative to preserve and promote Odisha's rich Buddhist heritage, the State Government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, Jirang. The agreement, signed at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, seeks to strengthen Odisha's position as a globally recognised destination for Buddhist heritage, spirituality and cultural tourism.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and His Eminence Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, President of Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, along with senior officials and members of the monastic community.

Speaking on the occasion, Pravati Parida described Odisha's Buddhist heritage as one of the state's greatest cultural treasures and a key driver of tourism. She said the partnership reflects the government's commitment to preserving this legacy while creating authentic spiritual experiences for visitors from India and abroad.

Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the collaboration would help conserve Odisha's Buddhist traditions while encouraging research, cultural exchange and greater public awareness of the state's historical and spiritual significance.

The MoU also provides a roadmap for developing meditation retreats, pilgrimage circuits, monastic immersion programmes and spiritual learning initiatives. It further aims to promote Buddhist scholarship through international conferences, academic collaborations and research, reinforcing Odisha's status as a leading centre for Buddhist culture and heritage.

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