Odisha to Strengthen Buddhist Tourism with Jirang Monastery Partnership

The Odisha government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara at Jirang in Gajapati district, marking a significant step in its strategy to position the state as a globally recognised destination for Buddhist heritage, spirituality, scholarship and cultural tourism. The agreement seeks to strengthen heritage conservation while expanding Odisha’s appeal as an international centre for spiritual and experiential travel. 

The MoU was formalised at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture in partnership with Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara. The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida, Minister for Odia Language, Literature & Culture Suryabanshi Suraj, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and His Eminence Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, President of Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara, along with senior government officials, members of the monastic community and other dignitaries. 

The partnership establishes a collaborative framework to develop a wide range of spiritual and tourism initiatives centred on Buddhist traditions. These include meditation retreats, spiritual learning programmes, monastic immersion experiences and pilgrimage activities designed to offer visitors a deeper engagement with Buddhist philosophy and practice. 

Beyond tourism, the agreement also places strong emphasis on academic and cultural cooperation. Plans include organising international conferences, encouraging scholarly exchanges, promoting research collaborations and facilitating knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at strengthening Buddhist studies and preserving the state’s historical legacy. 

Another major component of the collaboration is the integrated development of Odisha’s Buddhist circuit, linking Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Lalitgiri and Jirang. The initiative focuses on conserving heritage assets, improving visitor experiences and promoting sustainable tourism practices across these important Buddhist sites. 

During the event, Pravati Parida said the agreement reflected the state’s commitment to preserving Odisha’s Buddhist legacy while creating new opportunities for spiritual tourism, cultural exchange and economic growth. She said the partnership would help introduce the state’s rich Buddhist traditions to a wider international audience and reinforce Odisha’s standing as an important destination on the global Buddhist pilgrimage map. 

Suryabanshi Suraj described the MoU as an important milestone in safeguarding Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage. He said closer cooperation between the government and Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara would strengthen conservation efforts while expanding opportunities for cultural learning and international engagement. 

Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche welcomed the collaboration, saying it would deepen efforts to preserve Buddhist traditions and promote values of peace, compassion and learning. He expressed confidence that the partnership would help transform Jirang into a prominent destination for pilgrims, scholars and travellers from across the world. 

The initiative forms part of Odisha’s broader effort to leverage its extensive Buddhist heritage, which spans ancient sites such as Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri in Jajpur district, along with the Tibetan Buddhist settlement and Guru Padmasambhava Baudh Mahavihara at Jirang, often referred to as the “Little Tibet of Odisha”. The state aims to enhance infrastructure, improve visitor facilities and strengthen international collaborations to place these destinations more prominently on the global Buddhist tourism circuit.