For more than a millennium Buddhism exercised profound influence on the lives of the people of ancient Andhra desa. The language and literature, art and architecture, social and religious practices of that time were shaped by the enlightening message of this great religion. The magnificent remains of many Buddhist viharas and stupas in the State give us a glorious glimpse of the ancient times when Buddhism flourished. It is believed that from here Buddhism spread to Far East and South East Asia. 

In Andhra Pradesh there are over 140 Buddhist sites spread all over the State and some of the sites have large architectural and historical significance. In a concentrated effort to maximize these assets for tourism development, the Department of Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh launched "On a Buddhist trail and Hyderabad Packages" during the Destination Promotion Shows held at Colombo and Bangkok on 24th and 29th of June respectively. 

The Destination Promotion shows were organised by Andhra Pradesh Tourism in association with Sri Lankan Airlines and service providers. This is the first of its kind Public-Private Partnership in which the Tourism Department, Airlines and service providers have collectively worked out Complete Travel Solutions Packages. On the "Buddhist Trail and Hyderabad" packages are in tune with global trends of Packaged Travel Solutions at internationally competitive rates. For these special promotion packages Andhra Pradesh Tourism has associated with Srilankan Airlines, which flies seven times a week to Hyderabad and it is significant that the service providers have also offered very attractive rates.

Dr. J. Geeta Reddy, Hon'ble Minister for Tourism & Sugar presenting 
a momento to Hon'ble Deputy Minister for Tourism Srilanka Mr. Mustafa

Accordingly several holiday packages are being offered at a reasonable price. The special promotional packages start from a very attractive USD 265 onwards for a traveler / tourist from Sri Lanka and USD 465 for tourist from Thailand via Colombo. The packages include return airfare, 2 nights & 3 days luxury accommodation with breakfast, airport transfers, local sight seeing and attractive discounts on shopping. The packages offer leisure, heritage and shopping attractions for tourists from Sri Lanka and Thailand along with the Buddhist trail.

Launching the tourism promotion program on twin tours to Colombo and Bangkok, the Minister for Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Dr J Geeta Reddy envisaged the idea of linking Hyderabad, Colombo and Bangkok on the world cultural map by way of Religious Tourism. She said that though many Sri Lankan visit India but many are not aware of the fact that Buddhism flourished in Andhra Pradesh. She emphasized how the Chief Minister has taken special interest to develop and promote Buddhist circuit. Initially the focus in the Buddhist trail is on Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati.

Dr. J. Geeta Reddy, Hon'ble Minister for Tourism & Sugar  with Hon'ble Vice Minister for Tourism Thailand Mr. Thavatchai Sajakul and Cultural Troupe

Nagarjunakonda named after Nagarjuna, a Buddhist saint of great repute who founded Madhyamika School of philosophy was one of the largest and most important Buddhist settlements in Southern India. Known in ancient times as "Vijayapuri" it was the seat of learning where scholars from all parts of India, Ceylon and China came. The ruins of an ancient Buddhist University excavated during the construction of the Nagarjunasagar dam, have been preserved in the island museum. Given its proximity to Hyderabad and its strong Buddhist background it has the potential to be an attractive national and international tourist destination.

Amaravati is one of the major places of Buddhist worship in the country. The mahastupa at Amaravati, which is one of the largest stupa in the country measuring 36.5 ft across and girdled by a circulatory path is richly adorned with carvings that depict events from the life of the Buddha. An interpretation centre and tourist facilities are being developed at Amravati. His Holiness Dalai Lama will offer the Kalachakra Empowerment at Amravati in January 2006. It is believed that Lord Buddha first revealed Kalachakra at Amravati which is closely associated with Dhanyakataka.

The Sri Lankan Deputy Minister for Tourism, Sri Mustafa who was the Chief Guest at the Destination Promotion show at Colombo said that India would be the biggest Tourist market soon and the promotional efforts are now being focused on South. He said that both the regions' inherited cultural and natural heritage that is unique and also has some commonness that can boost bilateral Tourism. He said that their policy on Tourism has helped increase considerably the intra-regional travel. 

During the Destination Promotion Show a business session was held for interaction between the tour operators of Colombo, hoteliers and service providers of Hyderabad, Sri Lankan Airlines. During the session Sri Sabyasachi Ghosh, Director, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, showcased the pride of Andhra Pradesh as a tourist destination and Sri C. Anjaneya Reddy, Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation made a presentation on various Buddhist sites in AP. The tour operators and travel agents of Sri Lanka who attended the meeting conveyed that they look forward to change the travel plans of Sri Lankan tourists by giving emphasis to Andhra Pradesh as a tourist destination. The Destination Promotion show at Colombo was followed by Andhra Pradesh Food Festival at Taj Samudra, Colombo from 25th June to 3rd July 2005. 

Dr. J. Geeta Reddy who also visited Bangkok, Thailand for the Destination Promotion show, mooted the idea of forming a 'Buddhist Nations Regional Forum' and sought the support of these governments to take joint action to promote cultural exchanges. She sought the help of Thai government in this regard. She called upon the Vice Minister for Tourism & Sports, Govt. of Thailand, Mr. Thavatchai Sajakul, who was the Chief Guest for A.P. Destination Promotion Show at Bangkok, to speak to his neighbors on the proposed forum for which the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh would shoulder the responsibility of hosting the meet at Hyderabad. He felt that Hyderabad and the Buddhist circuit have immense potential for outbound Tourism from Thailand.

He also said that culture of Thailand and Andhra Pradesh are common and close to each other and wanted India and Andhra Pradesh to be much more stronger in all fields. He said that the Thai Prime Minister who had visited India earlier was full of praise for the cultural cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his desire to visit India and Hyderabad in the near future. The business session held at Bangkok witnessed the participation of leading tour operators in Bangkok.

The performing arts of Andhra Pradesh reflects the myriad hues of its glorious tradition. The artists of Andhra Pradesh presented a glimpse of this glorious tradition at the Destination Promotion Show at Colombo and Bangkok through a delightful performances of Kuchipudi, whistle concert & a flute recital. The guests also enjoyed the enchanting jugalbandi of Indian Music and Local dance.

In keeping with the tradition the State of Andhra Pradesh has a wide range of arts and crafts forms that exhibit the dexterity of artists. Handicrafts, handlooms and textiles of Andhra Pradesh were showcased at the shows at Colombo and Bangkok by involving the State Government emporia 'Lepakshi'. On the display were exquisite silver 'filigree', 'bidriware', paintings of 'kalamkari', 'cherial' and 'nirmal'; wood carvings and decorative 'kondapalli' toys. The textiles section displayed 'Pochampalli', 'Gadwal', 'Venkatgiri', 'Narayanpet' and 'Chirala' weaves. The lacquer and glass bangles and wide range of pearls displayed at the stalls drew special attraction. The handicrafts and handlooms display attracted wide spread attraction not only among the participants but also the public in general.

Package Details

A special promotion packages start from USD 265 onwards from Colombo 

                                                               &

USD 465 from Bangkok via Colombo to Hyderabad

Package include:

• 2 nights / 3 days stay in three star / five star hotel room
  
  
• Welcome drink on arrival
  
  
• Complimentary buffet breakfast on all days at coffee shop and meals where applicable 
  
  
• Half-day complimentary sight seeing by A/C Andhra Pradesh Tourism
  
  
• Airport Transfers
  
  
• 24 hrs check and 20% discount on Food & soft beverages. Complimentary use of hotels health club/swimming pool in 5 Star package only 
  
  
• Discount coupons at Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporium and Gnapika
  
  
• Inclusive of all applicable taxes