Dharamsala, September 21, 2015: Implementing the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Department of Religion & Culture is undertaking the construction of eight stupas; one each at the eight holist Buddhist pilgrimage sites viz, Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Saravasti, Sankassa, Rajgir, Vaishali and Kushinagar respectively.
The stupas are intended to inspire Universal peace, Religious harmony, stand as a symbol of the gratitude and appreciation of the Tibetan people to the people and Government of India for their sympathy and magnanimous support rendered to the Tibetan people. The stupas are also purported to pay homage to the struggle of Tibetan people to save their religion, culture and identity.
The actual construction has been put under way with the first of the eight stupas is being constructed at Bodhgaya. The stupas will be built using sand-stone slabs.