Vikramshila varsity in Buddhist Circuit likely

The demand for the inclusion of the ancient Vikramshila Mahavihara in the Buddhist Circuit along with other places, has been realized with the ministry of tourism, Government of India, agreeing to include the historical seat of education in the Buddhist Circuit for its unified development in the 12th plan in collaboration with the states concerned.

Vikramshila Mahavihara was one of the two most important centers of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala dynasty. The other was Nalanda University. It was established by King Dharmapala (783 to 820 AD) and at present is located at about 50 km east of Bhagalpur and about 13 km north-east of Kahalgaon railway station on Bhagalpur-Sahebganj section of Eastern Railway.

At present, the area is under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that had undertaken excavations from 1960 to 1981 to conserve the ancient seat of learning, according to sources. BJP MP from Bhagalpur Shahnawaz Hussain, who had made efforts for the inclusion of Vikramshila Mahavihara into the Buddhist Circuit, had raised the issue of delay in the inclusion of Vikramshila Mahavihara in the Buddhist Circuit in Parliament recently.

The Central government agreed to get the ancient seat of learning included in the Buddhist Circuit, informed the BJP MP adding this would not only bring back the glory of the historical Vikramshila Mahavihara but also promote tourism and lead to rapid development on the region.

The Buddhist Circuit includes Lumbini in Nepal, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath near Varanasi in UP and Kushinagar near Gorakhpur in UP.
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