Union Budget 2026–27 announces scheme to develop Buddhist Circuit in Northeast

Source: LM

Subject: Art and Culture/Economics

Context: In the Union Budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new scheme to develop a Buddhist Circuit in the Northeast to preserve temples and monasteries and promote tourism.

About Union Budget 2026–27 announces scheme to develop Buddhist Circuit in Northeast:

What it is?

• The Buddhist Circuit (Northeast) is a heritage–tourism initiative aimed at conservation, connectivity, and promotion of Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites across northeastern States, integrating culture with livelihoods and regional development.

Key budget announcements:

• Buddhist Circuit (Northeast): New scheme to preserve and develop temples and monasteries.

• Tourism infrastructure: Creation of five tourism destinations in Purvodaya States and deployment of 4,000 e-buses for tourist mobility.

• Regional growth: ₹5,000 crore allocated over five years for CITY Economic Regions (CERs) to boost urban–industrial ecosystems.

• Connectivity thrust: Complemented by the East Industrial Corridor to link tourism with logistics and markets.

Here is a list of the most important monasteries in the region, categorized by state:

Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal houses the largest concentration of Mahayana Buddhist sites, many located in the Tawang and West Kameng districts.

• Tawang Monastery (Galden Namgyal Lhatse): The largest monastery in India and the second-largest in the world. Perched at 10,000 feet, it was founded in the 17th century and houses a massive 18-foot gilded Buddha statue.

• Bomdila Monastery: Established in 1965, it is a prominent center for the Mahayana sect and offers panoramic views of the Himalayas.

• Urgelling Monastery: Famous as the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. It is one of the oldest in the region, dating back to the 15th century.

• Golden Pagoda (Namsai): A beautiful Burmese-style pagoda known for its gold-plated structure and serene gardens, reflecting the Theravada tradition.

• Taktsang Gompa: Often called the Tiger’s Nest of India, it is located near the Bhutan border and is where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated.

Sikkim

Sikkim’s monasteries are predominantly of the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

• Rumtek Monastery: The largest in Sikkim and the seat-in-exile of the Gyalwang Karmapa (Kagyu sect). It is a major center for Buddhist studies.

• Pemayangtse Monastery: One of the oldest and most prestigious monasteries in Sikkim. It historically controlled all other Nyingma monasteries in the state.

• Enchey Monastery: Located in Gangtok, this 200-year-old monastery is built on a site blessed by the tantric master Lama Druptob Karpo.

• Tashiding Monastery: Considered the holiest monastery in Sikkim; it is believed that even a glimpse of the monastery can cleanse one of their sins.

• Dubdi Monastery: Known as the Hermit’s Cell, it is the oldest monastery in Sikkim, established in 1701 during the consecration of the first Chogyal (King).

Other Notable Monasteries

• Ghoom Monastery (West Bengal): While technically in North Bengal (Darjeeling), it is a vital part of the North East circuit. It is famous for its 15-foot high statue of the Maitreya Buddha.

• Namphake Monastery (Assam): Located near Dibrugarh, it belongs to the Tai-Phake community and is one of the oldest and most beautiful Theravada monasteries in the state.

• Venuvan Vihara (Tripura): Located in Agartala, this is a significant site for the local Buddhist community and features a metal Buddha statue brought from Myanmar.