Ananda Parinirvana Park- Fatehpur Diar

This was my fourth visit to the village of Fatehpur in Raghopur Diar in the last three years. Raghopur Diar is one of the largest, if not the largest river island on the River Ganges. Some two years back, while mapping the footsteps of the Chinese monk scholars Xuanzang (7th century CE) and Fahein (5th century CE) on a GIS map, we discovered that Venerable Ananda, cousin-brother and attendant of the Buddha, may have attained Parinirvana here on this very same island. After our visit and some investigative research, our belief was confirmed.   Read More---Site of Ananda's Parinirvana.

The Buddhism renaissance in Bihar has entered a new phase and this “Journey through Bihar to Vihara” is being lead by Hon’ CM Shri Nitish Kumar Ji.   Recently, we had an opportunity to share this with the Hon’ Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar Ji. Hon' CM liked the idea of creating a park in dedication to this great event of the Parinirvana of Venerable Ananda. We are grateful to Shri Deepak Prasad Ji, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Bihar and Shri S.M Raju Ji Commissioner, Vaishali for initiating the process of acquiring 200-300 acres of land for the park.

A site visit to finalize the identified park site was arranged today by district officials. Shri. Devendar Rajak, ADM, Vaishali, Shri Saket Kumar, SDM, Hajipur, Shri Rajesh Kumar, DCLR, Hajipur and Shri Gautam Kumar a village youth  participated in this site inspection.

A momentous occasion, I tried to capture the details for posterity’s sake as a new moment of history is beginning. This place, so silent today, will become an active hub for Buddhist pilgrims over the next couple of years. This park site, soon to be reported in the headlines, will be welcome news to Buddhist worldwide, as these followers of the teaching of the Buddha add this site to their pilgrimage route.

Today with my camera, I captured these silent moments knowing that history is in the making.  This area will not be the same, as the world becomes acquainted once again with the site of Ven. Ananda’s Parinirvana. Through my lens, I record this episode in time: 

River Ganges.... very calm after the Floods

A temporary 150mts bridge connecting the island to the main land

Boats are still used for crossing the Ganges.....the Buddha crossed the Ganges by boat... somewhere here...

.....The place will soon have a new bridge ...and then no boats to cross the river.....no idea how i should react....

Crossing the river  by boats generated a sense of inspiration and awe......

.......2500 years ago....the Buddha and  the Sangha crossed Ganges by such boats..

This lush green field is the site identified for paying tribute to Ven. Ananda....

......Ananda Parinirvana Park....Soon the followers of the teachings of the Buddha will have ....

.... a place to pay tribute to Ven Ananda, who dedicated his life for the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha

Each good work has an effective team  ....the team lead by ADM, Shri Razak, SDM Shri Saket, DCLR Shri Rajesh, and Gautam

It was a nice opportunity meeting Shri Saket Kumar a young dynamic  IAS officer....

On the North of the Ganges is Chechar.......

The bridge will further go to the north connecting the Island  to ancient site of Chechar

A glimpse of the Block Office of Raghopur Diar....

Time for Lunch.........

Wonderful lunch!!!...courtesy District Administration

After a silence of 1000 years...the place will  have pilgrims again