BHU tourism students conduct educational tour of Bihar's UNESCO heritage sites
Bihar
.
The aim of the trip was to give students a firsthand experience of India's glorious heritage, ancient centres of learning, and Buddhist philosophy.
During the tour, students visited the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University, where they learned about the preservation process of Nalanda. They discovered how Nalanda, once a global centre of knowledge, suffered through history and how the govt and the Archaeological Department are currently working towards its revival.
Under the guidance of Tourism Management professors Anil Kumar Singh and Praveen Rana, the educational tour covered Nalanda, Rajgir, and
Bodh Gaya
in Bihar. Students had the opportunity to visit Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University and listen to its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Siddharth Singh. They understood the historical significance of Nalanda's ruins and visited the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall to learn about his travels between India and China.
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Students also studied the sites at Rajgir, including Brahma Kund (a Hindu pilgrimage site) and Griddhakuta Mountain (a Buddhist pilgrimage site). At the UNESCO World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, students meditated and listened to Ven. Manoj Bhante from the temple management committee discuss Buddha's Eightfold Path. They visited the seven sites where Buddha spent time after attaining enlightenment, including the Bodhi Tree where Buddha achieved enlightenment.
This site helped students understand Buddhist philosophy, non-violence, meditation, and introspection.
In Bodh Gaya's tranquil environment, they deeply contemplated and imagined various aspects of Buddha's life. They also visited monasteries of different Buddhist countries in Bodh Gaya. Additionally, students studied other cultural heritages of Bihar. Through ancient sculptures, architecture, libraries, and historical museums, they gained insights into the deep roots of Indian civilisation in Bihar.
BHU teachers stated that this educational tour broadened the students' perspectives and provided them with an experiential understanding of Indian history.
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