• This article makes a case for the Government of India to promote tourism to countries of Southeast Asia and Far East.
• It lists down monuments worth visiting and which signify India’s contribution.

India initiated a ‘Look East’ policy when Narasimha Rao was Prime Minister. The reason for looking east was the century long cultural ties between India and these countries.  

This article is not about the hits and misses of India’s look east policy but about the Government of India promoting tourism to Southeast Asia and the Far East. 

Whilst Thailand is probably the most visited country to India’s east, few have seen the numerous monuments that signify India’s contribution to the culture of Southeast Asia and the Far East. 

The intent of this article is to discover and experience the blending of local and Indian cultures but not brag about the selfless export of Indian culture.

So how can India promote tourism to countries of Southeast Asia and the Far East? 

The Government of India and tourism board of host country could run a joint advertising campaign in India to inform Indians about places to visit in each country. The campaign could promote specific destinations and the country in general for e.g. promote the Grand Palace Complex in Bangkok but not Phuket, a beach destination.  

A separate website say www.indialookeast.com could provide information and promote destinations country wise.    

From the Indian side the facilitating agency could be the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Department of Tourism.

An initial budget of say Rs 50 crore could be set aside for an advertising campaign that would promote both, monuments that showcase Indian heritage and touristy places.

So what should Indians see? Here is a proposed country wise list.

Myanmar

The ancient city of Bagan was the first capital of the Pagan kingdom between the 9-13^th centuries. During its flourishing days between the 11-13^th centuries more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed. Today 2,200 survive. The temples are set amongst thick greenery with misty mountains at a distance. The temple rise above the canopy of trees.

A visit to Yangon is incomplete without visiting the 2,500 year old 326 foot Shwedagon Pakoda. The stupa is decorated with more than 4,000 diamonds. It is known to have the hair of Lord Buddha. When the pakoda shines under the sun it creates a postcard picture that is unforgettable.

A Fiji Indian, who visited Myanmar recently, fell in love with the country.

Thailand

Thailand was always popular with Indian tourists. It is interesting to see how Hindu and Buddhist cultures have intertwined in Thailand.  

The Grand Palace Complex has a miniature Angkor Watt and Emerald Buddha shrine. The shrine has murtis of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The grounds of the Royal Monastery have galleries that are decorated with scenes from Ramakein, as Ramayana is called in Thailand.

Lord Hanuman made his body into a pathway to enable Sri Ram’s army to enter Lanka.

The Erawan Shrine, also known as Thao Maha Brahma, draws huge crowds. In Thai Buddha tradition Brahma is associated with creation. The murti has four faces. In Thailand Brahma is known as Phra Phrom. Next to it is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Indra. Visit the Trimurthi and Ganesha shrines in Bangkok.

Erawan Shrine Bangkok.

Ayutthaya, a variation of India’s Ayodhya was Thailand’s greatest ancient city. It has numerous WATS (temples) with the Sleeping Buddha being a major attraction.

Indonesia

Yogyakarta is the city that has produced the magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in the 8th and 9th century.

Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist monument. “The temple’s design is in Gupta architecture reflects India’s influence in the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.” 

Dedicated to Lord Siva, Prambanan Temple is 47 metres high. Enjoy the Ramayan Ballet that takes place every evening here.

Prambanan Temple.

About three hours from Yogyakarta is Dieng Plateau i.e. an active volcanic area. “You can wander through bubbling craters and ‘enjoy’ the sulphur smell pretty much undisturbed in the early hours.” And see its many temples. To read more

Mount Bromo in Java is a major tourist attraction of the Tengger region, “drawing visitors from all over Asia wanting to see the spectacular active volcano where they can hike right up to the brim over the smoking caldera. Bromo is named after Brahma and is a sacred place for Hindus.” Read about Hindus of Java here

Swaminathan A Aiyar wrote, “Indonesia has 21 Jagannath temples recalling its Odisha connection. Jakarta’s National Museum is chock-full of Hindu artefacts but has very few Muslim ones”. Times of India

Japan

Todaji Monastery in Nara. Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794 A.D. South Indian monk called Bodhisena (also called the "Baramon Sojo" or Brahmin Priest) travelled to Nara from South India. It has a bronze statue of Vairochana Buddha and 26 feet statues of Lord Vishnu and Shiva in Japanese rendition. Source  here

Sanjusangen-do is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto is interesting because you get to see Japanese deities and corresponding Hindu deities. Indic scholar Sanjay Rao who has visited Japan often, “Some of the critical Hindu “Guardian Deities “have been exhibited in the Great 120 meter hall, which is 900 years old. These Guardian deities stand on either side of the Avalokiteshwara Deity (The Buddhist God of compassion). The Hindu deities don’t resemble the Indian versions as there were conceptually transplanted about 900 years ago and are carved based on Japanese interpretations of Indian and Chinese Sutras.” Source  here

Statute of Bodhidharma (Kenchoji Temple) in Kita Kamakura Tokyo. The historical Bodhidharma (known as Daruma in Japan) was an Indian sage who lived 5-6^th century A.D. He is commonly considered to be the founder of Zen Buddhism.

Bodhidharma.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a must visit because it is home to the world’s largest temple complex, Angkor Wat. 

It is built in several levels, has huge bas-relief sculptures that tell the story of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The story of Samudra-manthan is repeated here in great detail in bas-relief.

The four towers of the temple – one in each corner – rise to 65 metres through three levels. The big tower stands at the center. At the top now, is an idol of the Buddha. The temple had a huge Vishnu sculpture i.e. now in the museum. It features 5400 sculptures of Apsaras in fascinatingly rich saree-like robes and jewellery.

The National Museum in Phnom Penh is a repository of stone and metal sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities brought from the ruins of Angkor.

Just like the Government of India promotes tourism to Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Cambodia their tourism boards of could promote the corresponding deity/icon/temple/circuit in India that relates to the attraction in the other country so that tourist flow is two way. For example the Buddhist Circuit in India and Nepal, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Temples & Monasteries in coastal Odisha etc. This might also motivate Indian tourists to visit the same places in larger numbers.

This idea would serve numerous objectives. Strengthen relations with these countries, enhance awareness amongst all of what unites us culturally and people to people contact. Lastly, more tourists in every country has positive effects on the economy.

Author is founder www.esamskriti.com

P.S. Some matter taken from tourism websites of respective countries. All credits lie with them.

Also read

1. Hindu symbols in Thailand

2. Hindus Temples Bangkok

3. Prambanan Temple, Indonesia

4. Hindus of Java

5. Temples of Bali

6. Shaiva Temples in Cambodia

7. Exploring the temples of Java

8. Pictures of Indian Influence on S.E. Asia

9. Buddhist Heritage of S.E. Asia

10. Space and Cosmology in Indian temples – Angkor Watt

11. Harmonious blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Shinto strains in Japan