Kushinagar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Kushinagar airport in Uttar Pradesh with a flight from Sri Lanka becoming the first to touch down at the new airport.
“In order to develop the places associated with Lord Buddha, for better connectivity, special attention is being given by India today on the creation of facilities for the devotees. The development of Kushinagar is in the priorities of the UP government and the central government,” said the Prime Minister.
The inauguration of the Kushinagar International Airport was marked by the landing of the inaugural flight at the airport from Colombo, Sri Lanka, carrying a Sri Lankan delegation of over 100 Buddhist monks and dignitaries including the 12-member holy relic entourage bringing the holy Buddha relics for exposition. The delegation comprises anunayakas (deputy heads) of all four nikatas (orders) of Buddhism in Sri Lanka; Asgiriya, Amarapura, Ramanya, Malwatta as well as five ministers of the Lankan government led by Cabinet Minister Namal Rajapakshe.
Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in the country, is all set to become the only state in the country to have five international airports. After international airports in Lucknow, Varanasi and Kushinagar, the state will soon get two more international airports in Noida and Ayodhya.
The airport has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 260 crore and will facilitate domestic and international pilgrims to visit the ‘mahaparinirvana’ site of Lord Buddha and is an endeavour to connect the Buddhist pilgrimage holy sites around the world. The airport will serve nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and is an important step in boosting investment and employment opportunities in the region.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi will also participate in an event marking Abhidhamma Day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar before attending a public function to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects in the poll-bound state.
Kushinagar is one of the major pilgrimage centres for Buddhism followers from all over the world. It is the final resting place of Gautama Buddha where he attained Mahaparinirvana after his death, and is among the most important pilgrim spots for Buddhists.
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