Kushinagar:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. The inauguration will be marked by landing of inaugural flight at the airport from Colombo carrying Sri Lankan delegation of over 100 Buddhist monks and dignitaries, including a 12 member holy relic entourage.

PM @narendramodi will visit UP tomorrow to inaugurate the Kushinagar International Airport.

PM will also participate in an event marking Abhidhamma day at Mahaparinirvana Temple at around 11.30AM

Check out the video for more highlights on the new #KushinagarAirport pic.twitter.com/Y8dFcrjncT

— DD News (@DDNewslive) October 19, 2021

It will provide direct air connectivity to countries such as Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.

The inaugural flight will also bring Buddha relics for an exposition. The delegation from Sri Lanka would comprise Anunayakas (deputy heads) of all four Nikatas (orders) of Buddhism in Sri Lanka Asgiriya, Amarapura, Ramanya, Malwatta – as well as five ministers of the Sri Lanka government led by Namal Rajapakshe.

Modi will also lay the foundation stone of different development projects at a public event here. Kushinagar International Airport was built at a cost of Rs 260 crore and spread over 3,600 smts. The airport is crucial for religious tourism as Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha attained ‘Mahaparinirvana’. It is one of the four prominent Buddhist circuits.

The airport will also serve nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh as well as Bihar. The airport has been equipped to handle 300 passengers during peak hours. Modi will also participate in an event marking Abhidhamma Day at Mahaparinirvana Temple.

Kushinagar is the place where Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It is an international Buddhist pilgrimage centre, the centre point of the Buddhist circuit, which consists of other sites at Lumbini, Sarnath and Gaya.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia will participate in the inauguration ceremony.