Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa
Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa is a proposed museum and stupa to house the Buddha relic, which was found in archeological excavation in Vaishali. The Bihar state cabinet gave nod for its construction on 9 February 2013, [1] but construction was commenced only on 20 February 2019, inaugurated by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. The museum will be built over 72 acres of land with a budget of ₹315 crore. The entire structure will be built of stone and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is providing technical support for its construction.[2] [3]
| Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa | |
|---|---|
  Location Vaishali District  Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa (Bihar) | |
| Type | Stupa |
| Location | Vaishali district, Bihar, India |
| Coordinates | 25.99°N 85.13°E |
| Area | 72 acre |
| Status | Under construction |
| Budget | ₹315 crore |
Geography
The museum and stupa is being built at Vaishali (ancient city), about 60 km from the Bihar state capital Patna.
Overview
There are many claims of Gautama Buddha relic but none of them are authentic. The relic which was found in Vaishali is apparently the only authentic one. It was mentioned by Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang in his book which is preserved in China. Dr. Anant Sadashiv Altekar the archeologist and historian who discovered it in an archeological excavation between 1958–60. It was found in mud stupa in a casket. Later that mud stupa was declared as archeological site and casket was kept in Patna Museum. The casket containing holy relics of Buddha to be kept at the proposed museum was given to Lichchhavi King of Vaishali, after Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar. The one of eighth part of Buddha's mortal remains were given to Lichchhavi King. It was later enshrined at the Buddha Relic Stupa in the fifth century. The relic casket containing the holy ashes of Gautama Buddha mixed with earth, a piece of conch, pieces of beads, a thin golden leaf and a copper panch marked coin, is kept at Patna Museum.
Exhibition
According to the preliminary plan, the Buddha Samyak Darshan Sangrahalya is proposed to be developed on the line of the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai. It will have two components; a Buddha stupa and a Museum. There will be art and exhibition galleries with original artefacts, 3D models, multimedia presentation and an interpretation centre at the Museum. Animated short film will also be used to acquaint the visitors with the rich heritage of Buddhism. The stupa on the other hand will focus on Bihar and Buddha's Mahaparinirvana and major incidents of his life.[4]
References
- Tripathi, Piyush (23 December 2016). "DPR delay hits Vaishali Buddha Museum project". Times of India.
- Kumar, Madan (20 February 2019). "Nitish Kumar launches work for Buddha museum and stupa in Vaishali". Times of India.
- PTI (19 February 2019). "Nitish lays foundation stone of Buddha Sangrahalaya & Smriti". Business Standard.
- TRIPATHI, PIYUSH KUMAR (22 May 2014). "Relic with Buddha's remains to return home – Art, culture & youth affairs department starts work on constructing stupa and world-class museum". Telegraph India.