Description

Buddha Smriti Park also known as Buddha Memorial Park is an urban park located on Frazer Road near Patna Junction in Patna, India. This park has been developed by the Bihar Government to commemorate the 2554th birth anniversary of the Buddha. This park was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama.

The park has been constructed at the place where once The historical Bankipur Central Jail of British era existed. After a new central jail was built at Beur on the outskirts of Patna, the old jail become redundant.The park is a brainchild of the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, on 27 May 2010 inaugurated Buddha Smriti Park and planted two saplings one was brought from Bodh Gaya and the other from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka of the sacred Bodhi tree.

The Laser Show is one of the common favourite attractions at the park. With a vibrant display of water and fountains with little help from multimedia and technology, the park organizes a regular laser show that invites hordes of tourists to the spot. This show retells the story of Bihar from the time of Ramayana up until pot Independence.

The Meditation Centre was conceived and ideated on the lines of the monasteries and Mahaviharas of Nalanda. The exclusive and unique facility has around 60 cells where you can go and meditate. Each of these rooms provide the view of the Stupa which has relics of Sakyamuni Buddha. It also has a library which has books on Buddhism and also an Audio Visual Hall.

Smriti Bagh, also known as the Park of Memories, is a wide open space which has sculptures from different countries placed into a scenic architectural manner. These sculptures are installed to represent the expansion of Buddhism across different countries in the world. The park has been designed to accommodate 5000 people.

More Details

The museum is the park is another important attraction in the Buddha Smriti Park. It houses the pot containing ashes of Lord Buddha. Other than that, it showcases the life and times of Buddha through artefacts, 3D models and other audio visual mediums.

The centre and highlight of the Buddha Smriti Park is the Stupa which enshrines the relics of Sakyamuni Buddha. These relics have been encased in a glass closure. The building is three storeys tall and is open to public visit.

Another one of the museum's prized possessions is a rare collection of British-period paintings depicting day-to-day life of the Indians of the era, along with a fine collection related to the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, and a First World War cannon.

Highlights: The park is not only a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate but there is also a museum in the park complex which houses the pot containing Lord Buddha’s ashes. It also showcases Buddhist relics from Japan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka etc. Very often, there are musical shows and events organised inside the park. Besides, it stays especially crowded during morning and evening hours as people flock here for walks and meditation exercises.

Distance from Patna Airport: (6.4 km) via Harding Rd.

Entrance fee: Park:INR 20, Karuna Stupa:INR 50, Meditation Centre - INR 500, Museum: INR 40.

Timing: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Location: Fraser Road, Near Patna Railway Station Patna Junction, Bihar 800001.