The Tourism Development Corporation in undivided state of Andhra Pradesh has initiated a project called Buddhavanam a Buddhist Heritage Theme Park’ in an extent of 274.28 acres of Government land in Sy. No: 70/5 & 70/7 at Nagarjunasagar, Nandikonda (V), Peddavura (M) of Nalgonda District with a view to attract large number of domestic and international tourists, particularly from Southeast Asian countries.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrashekhar Rao garu, visited the Buddhavanam Project, on the occasion of 2559th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations on 04.05.2015 and was very much impressed with the project and announced the Government plans to develop world class infrastructure in and around Nagarjunasagar with special focus on Buddhavanam in the area overlooking the huge reservoir. Senior Journalist Sri Mallepalli Laxmaiah, was appointed as Special Officer, Buddhavanam Project in the rank of Principal Secretary to Government.
The Project is divided into eight segments with an elegant Entrance Plaza viz.,
1. Buddhacharita Vanam
2. Jataka Vanam (Bodhisattva Park)
3. Dhyana Vanam (Meditation Park)
4. Stupa Vanam (Miniature Stupa Park)
5. Mahastupa
6. Buddhist Teachings and Education Centers like
a) Monasteries
b) Educational Institutions, like Schools & Universities
c) Buddhist Arts & Craft Village
7. Hospitality
a) Budgeted Hotels
b) Resorts
c) Auditoriums, Convention centre
8. Wellness Centers
a) Meditation
b) Buddhist Medical centre
c) Other Therapies
The above eight segments to symbolically represent the “Astangamarga” propounded by the Buddha.
It will be the first in the country having many thematic segments depicting the Major events from the life of Siddhartha Gautama and his previous birth stories, Miniature Stupas of National (5 No’s) & International (8 No’s) models. The State Department of Archaeology & Museums has established a Buddhist Heritage Museum in the ground floor of Maha Stupa. There will be good response from foreign countries especially from Southeast Asian countries. The Government of Sri Lanka has donated the Replica of Avukana Buddha Statue (27’ Height) and Dhamma Bell. The replica of Mahastupa with Sculptural panels in Amaravati School of Art is embellished, the main attraction of the Buddhist Theme Park.