Familiarization (FAM) Trip of Kushinagar and Lumbini
Also see: FAM Trip of Kushinagar and Lumbini
Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) was founded in Nalanda, Bihar in the year 2015. ABTO aims to promote Buddhist pilgrimage and tourism at a B2B level in South and Southeast Asia along with the Asia-Pacific region.
6th Convention of ABTO 2023, Kushinagar
The association operates as a common platform for Buddhist Tour operators of the region and helps with tourism product development along with the promotion and marketing of Buddhist Religious sites.
Kaulesh Kumar, Secretary General, ABTO
At present ABTO, with the message of Sharing & Service to All, has about 1500 Members and about 5000 Non-Members Supporters both in India and overseas.
They consist of specialists in Tourism Destinations, Buddhist Circuits and culture-promoting tour operators, tourism professionals, educationists, monks, travel trade partners, philanthropists, officers, and scholars whose support enables us to keep the organization running.
ABTO has a global reach spread across 25 countries and their advisory committee consists of senior bureaucrats (national/international), Tourism and Buddhist scholars.
Cultural Program at 6th Convention of ABTO 2023, Kushinagar
Ever since its inception, ABTO has been part of various activities, which include:
Participants at 6th Convention of ABTO 2023, Kushinagar
- ABTO International Convention
- International Buddhist Travel Mart (IBTM)
- International Conference on Buddhist Circuits (ICBC)
- Lord Buddhist International Peace Award (LBIPA)
- International Tourism Mitra Award (ITMA)
In 2023 the 6th ABTO International Convention along with 6th IBTM , 4th ICBC, 6th LBIPA and 6th ITMA was held on 10-12 December, in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. Over 200 (including 100 overseas guests) were part of the 3-day long convention and mart.
Mahaparinirvan
Participants of 6th Convention of ABTO 2023, Kushinagar in front of the Mahaparinirvan Complex
The convention also included a familiarization (FAM) trip covering Kushinagar along with Lumbini. Kushinagar (place of Buddha’s death) and Lumbini (place of Buddha’s birth) are important Buddhist pilgrimages.
ABTO FAM trip participants at the site of Buddha’s last meal
They along with Bodh Gaya (place of enlightenment) and Sarnath (place of first teaching) are part of the Buddhist Circuit.
The first portion of the FAM tour was held on 11 December, the second day of the convention.
It was an early morning trip to the Mahaparinirvan Complex, the exact place where Buddha had her last breadth.
It included visiting the site with the statue of the reclining Buddha and observing the sheets being laid on the body.
The lunch session on 12 December, marked the end of the convention and led to the second portion of the FAM tour. In this tour, participants were taken to Faizal Nagar (also called Fazil Nagar and Pawa Nagar) the spot where Buddha had his last meal. (detailed blog post on Kushinagar coming up soon)
ABTO FAM trip participants at Lumbini, Nepal
There are no historical structure in the site. A newly installed Buddha statue reminds one of the historic event.
The wall next to the statue houses a series of paintings depicting the life of Buddha.
The third and final leg of the FAM trip kicked off on the morning of 13 December with 7 participants.
It was a 160 km journey that lasted 5 hours (including the border crossing). Lumbini is located in Nepal and Indians don’t need a passport or visa to enter Nepal. The FAM trip included a visit to the Lumbini Complex housing the Maya Devi Temple, marking the exact spot of Buddha’s birth. It was an overnight trip with a night stay in Lumbini. (detailed blog post on Lumbini coming up soon)
Special Thanks:
- Kaulesh Kumar, Secretary General, ABTO
- All members and participants of the 6th ABTO Convention, Kushinagar
- My fellow FAM participants
Note:
This blog is part of a familiarization (FAM) tour organized by Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO)
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