The development of Buddhamangal Lake of historical and Buddhist archaeological importance at Nawalparasi (west of Bardaghat Susta) has been made a centre of religious tourism.
The development, protection and promotion of the Buddhist civilization and tourism have been started in this region which is in line with the Buddhist city of Halidabasan.
As this lake located in Bardaghat Municipality-12 is connected with Lord Gautam Buddha, work is being done for the development of its historicity and tourism, said Bardaghat Mayor Dheeraj Sharma Basyal.
A large statue of Buddha has been erected in the middle of the lake in this area which has the potential of an excellent tourist destination.
According to the Buddhist scriptures, the historical fact that the Buddha came to the city of Halidavasan in the then Koliya Republic and initiated the disciples by reciting it regularly was found in this area, he said. The municipality is also preparing to declare the area an ancient Halidavasan city.
He said that a statue of Buddha has been erected in the middle of the lake to establish the area as a tourist destination, to connect the Buddhist historicity and to include it in the Buddha Circuit.
He said that it has special significance as there is not much space for Buddha statues in the middle of the lake to reflect the Buddhist civilization. At the initiative of the municipality and the Lumbini state government, beautification of the lake and construction of tourist infrastructure is underway.
After beautification, the lake now looks beautiful. Veteran artist BK Nara Bahadur has built a 12 feet tall statue of Buddha in the middle of the lake. He said that the construction of the statue was completed in three months.
"Sculpture in the middle of the lake is a historicity and a challenge in itself," he said.
Manoj Poudel, secretary of the Buddha Murti Construction Committee, said that the lake area is spread over an area of about seven bighas in a beautiful and picturesque environment half a kilometre north of the Parasi-Triveni postal road.
According to him, natural and physical structures including the Saraswati temple, Shivalaya, Buddha's Gumba, 108 Shivalingas, waiting room and community forest have been constructed and developed around the lake.
Chairman of the construction committee Prem Bahadur Shahi informed that the construction work of the Jaldevi temple is also underway here.
He said that the construction of the temple has been started on the initiative of the local Radhakrishna Buddhamangal Taal Bhajan Group after the Tharu community considered the temple of Jaldevi as a special faith.
Local clubs and locals under the Buddhamangal Jagriti Women's Community Forest Users Group are continuing to enhance and protect the beauty of the lake.
According to local Deep Prakash Lohani, Gautam Buddha, on his way to Kathmandu Khaldo, saw this beautiful lake and stayed with his followers for the night. During this stay, two local landlords, Dabila and Mangal, were initiated by his discourse.
Among the two brothers, there are two villages (old Dabila, new Dabila) by the name of Dabila even today.
He said that there was a calm lake in the middle of the dense forest at that time and this lake was the best in terms of water and beauty in the area after the Narayani river.
As it is a wetland area, various aquatic and community forests have also been developed along the banks of the lake, making it a habitat for birds. The area from Triveni to Kapilvastu is a very important area under the Lumbini Buddha Circuit.
Therefore, voices have been raised that this region should be included in the Buddhaparipath. The locals are confident that bringing the domestic and foreign tourists returning from Lumbini through Ramgram Stupa in Nawalparasi will help in the tourism business and economic development of the locals.
