An ancient Buddhist stupa located in Dharm Singhwa town along the northern boundary of Sant Kabir Nagar district continues to reflect the region’s historical heritage. Despite its cultural and religious significance, the site has not yet established a strong presence on the tourism map because of limited publicity, infrastructure and visitor facilities.
According to local traditions, Buddhist monks constructed the stupa as part of their efforts to spread Buddhism in the region. Elderly residents recall that Buddhist monks and religious preachers once frequently gathered in the area. The large pond located near the stupa is also believed to have been an important part of the historic site.
Local accounts suggest that monks would bathe in the pond before gathering at the stupa complex for religious discussions, meetings and exchanges of ideas. Buddhist preachers are also believed to have travelled from the area to different regions to spread Buddhist teachings.
Over the years, however, the site suffered from neglect and lack of maintenance. Around four years ago, the historic stupa collapsed during strong winds and heavy rain. Its collapse brought renewed attention to the need for preservation and reconstruction.
Following an initiative by former MLA Rakesh Singh Baghel, the stupa was reconstructed under the Chief Minister Tourism Promotion Scheme at an estimated cost of around Rs 50 lakh. A boundary wall and main entrance gate were also constructed to protect the site.
While the reconstruction has helped preserve the stupa, several important steps are still required to turn the location into a complete tourist destination. The large pond next to the stupa is currently in poor condition. Encroachment, water hyacinth and accumulated waste have reduced the usable area of the pond and affected the overall appearance of the site.
The lack of basic visitor facilities is another major challenge. There are limited arrangements for seating, lighting, toilets and information boards explaining the historical importance of the stupa. Without these facilities, tourists and Buddhist devotees travelling from outside the area may find it difficult to spend adequate time at the site.
The location of the stupa offers significant potential for tourism planning. Bakhira Lake, a globally recognized wetland destination, is located only around 20 kilometres away. Connecting Bakhira Lake with the Dharm Singhwa Buddhist stupa could create a combined tourism circuit.
Visitors travelling to Bakhira Lake could be encouraged to visit the ancient stupa as part of the same itinerary. Such a tourism circuit could increase the duration of tourist stays in the region and create additional economic activity.
The site also has potential for Buddhist tourism. With improved roads, accommodation, local transportation, trained guides and visitor facilities, Buddhist followers from different parts of India as well as countries such as Nepal, China and Sri Lanka could potentially be attracted to the area.
Tourism development could also generate employment for local communities. Young people could find opportunities as tourist guides, drivers and transport operators. Local residents could benefit from small shops, food outlets, handicraft and local-product sales, homestays and other tourism-related services.
However, experts and local residents believe that simply rebuilding the stupa is not enough. A comprehensive development plan would be required for the entire site. Cleaning and restoring the pond, removing encroachments, improving landscaping, installing lighting, providing seating areas, toilets, drinking water and parking facilities, and placing informative boards could significantly improve the visitor experience.
The development of the Dharm Singhwa Buddhist stupa could therefore provide a dual benefit: preservation of an important historical heritage site and creation of a new tourism-based economic opportunity for Sant Kabir Nagar.
If the stupa is effectively connected with Bakhira Lake through a planned tourism circuit, the area could attract more visitors and potentially gain recognition beyond the district. Better infrastructure and promotion could help transform Dharm Singhwa into an important destination associated with Buddhist heritage and local history.
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