Kalyan’s Buddhabhoomi to Be Developed on Lines of Bodh Gaya; State Plans International Mahabodhi Complex

Kalyan: In a major decision aimed at ending a long-running dispute over the Buddhabhoomi land at Valdhuni in Kalyan, the Maharashtra government has decided to develop the site on the lines of the internationally renowned Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.The decision was taken during a three-hour high-level meeting chaired by Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat at his official residence in Mumbai. Representatives of various stakeholders, social organisations, local groups and government officials participated in the discussions, which culminated in a consensus on transforming the site into an international Buddhist spiritual, educational and cultural centre.Addressing the media after the meeting, Shirsat said the state government would establish an independent development authority to implement the project in a transparent and time-bound manner. The proposed “International Mahabodhi Complex” will come up on nearly 30 acres of land at Valdhuni.According to the minister, the project was conceptualised following a suggestion by Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, who proposed developing the site into a landmark Buddhist centre of international importance. The proposed complex will include a grand Buddha Vihar, Buddhist monastery, stupa, meditation centre and a state-of-the-art Vipassana facility.The project will also feature educational and research infrastructure, including schools, colleges, a world-class library, a Buddhist cultural museum, digital research centres and training institutes. Officials said the aim is to create a global hub for Buddhist studies, culture and spiritual tourism.To expedite the project, Social Justice Department Principal Secretary Harshadeep Kamble will soon inspect the site, following which architects and technical experts will prepare a detailed blueprint.The government is expected to place the proposal before the state cabinet for approval and funding. Leaders present at the meeting expressed hope that the project would not only resolve the long-standing dispute over ownership of land but also establish Kalyan as a prominent international Buddhist destination.