In Bihar, the newly constructed “Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa” at Vaishaligarh in Vaishali district will be inaugurated today. An architectural marvel and potential tourist hotspot, the structure has been built on 72 acres of land at a cost of over 550 crore rupees. The stupa is set to become a landmark. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will inaugurate this monument today. Buddhist monks from 15 countries, including China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, Myanmar, Malaysia, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia, Laos, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, will be present on the occasion.

Akashvani correspondent reports, this historic monument is poised to become a major centre of reverence and attraction for Buddhist followers across the globe. The stupa has been developed near the Pushkarni pond and the ancient earthen stupa. On the first floor of the museum, the sacred relic casket or Asthi Kalash of Lord Buddha has been enshrined. This relic was discovered during the archaeological excavations conducted between 1958 and 1962.

For the first time in modern Indian history, a stupa in the Vaishali district of Bihar has been constructed entirely using stone without the use of cement, bricks, or concrete. The total height is nearly double that of the world-famous Sanchi Stupa. The 42,000 sandstone blocks have been joined using the tongue-and-groove technique without any adhesive material. It has been built using advanced earthquake-resistant techniques to ensure its preservation for thousands of years. The grand entrance gate, modelled after the Sanchi Torana, reflects the splendour and intricate details of Buddhist architecture. The complex also houses a meditation centre, library, visitor centre, museum block, amphitheatre, cafeteria, a 500-kilowatt solar power plant, parking, and other amenities. A statue of Lord Buddha crafted by artists from Odisha will serve as a distinctive symbol of this site.