‘Telangana Govt planning Buddhist monasteries, meditation centers’

Sprawling across 274 acres along the Krishna River, the site serves as a tribute to the legacy of Acharya Nagarjuna and the historic Nagarjunakonda

Minister for Tourism and Culture Jupally Krishna Rao stated that the State government is planning to develop Buddhist monasteries, meditation centres and educational institutes through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He further added that a number of initiatives are being taken up to develop Nalgonda. He was replying to queries during Question Hour in the Legislative Council on Saturday.

Jupally Krishna Rao explained the significance of Vadapalli, a prominent pilgrimage centre situated at the confluence of the Krishna and Musi rivers. He noted that the Sri Veeranarayana Swamy Temple attracts a vast influx of devotees, particularly during the holy month of Kartika and other major festivals.

To tap into the site's spiritual and tourism potential, the Minister announced that a feasibility survey has been commissioned and the study will identify the essential infrastructure and amenities required to improve the experience for pilgrims and tourists alike. The Minister described Buddhavanam, located near Nagarjuna Sagar, as a flagship project for the state’s Buddhist heritage and cultural tourism. Sprawling across 274 acres along the Krishna River, the site serves as a tribute to the legacy of Acharya Nagarjuna and the historic Nagarjunakonda, he said.

Under the central government’s ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ scheme, Rs. 24.84 crore has been sanctioned for a state-of-the-art Digital Experience Center and the construction for this facility is currently in progress, he disclosed. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening tourism infrastructure in Nalgonda, positioning the region as a premier destination for heritage and spiritual tourism.