Bihar's tourism department is planning to offer an ayurvedic therapy package to woo tourists, both foreign and domestic, to visit historic Buddhist sites and experience health rejuvenation.
The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation has decided to offer the therapy sessions on the lines of Kerala.
BSTDC Managing Director Anand Kishor told rediff.com that two such health rejuvenation centres have been planned by the BSTDC in the historic Buddhist towns of Rajgir in Nalanda district and Bodh Gaya in Gaya district.
Bodh Gaya is considered Buddhism's birthplace, and it was under a banyan tree near the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi temple that Buddha attained enlightenment about 2,500 years ago.
Both Buddhist centres attract hundreds of foreign tourists, particularly from Asian countries as well as America and Europe.
The health rejuvenation centres in both places are likely to be operational by the end of this year.
The BSTDC had signed a contract with a Kerala-based private firm, affiliated to the Kerala government, to help them in setting up the two centres.
"The firm will provide doctors and therapists for the two centres in Bihar," said Kishor.
The health rejuvenation package will offer ayurvedic therapies like shirodhar, nasya, abhyangam, pizichil and others.
A few months ago, BSTDC decided to revamp hotels and introduce special tour packages to woo non-resident Indians, as well as religious tourists to the state.
Bihar lags far behind other Indian states in attracting domestic and foreign tourists.
Tourism officials admit that because of its reputation as a lawless state, tourists usually keep away from Bihar.
