Interpretation for Odisha's 'Buddhist Diamond'

Abstract

Cultural heritage tourism in India is growing and it is changing. In Odisha, the archaeological sites of four early Buddhist monasteries are being promoted as a set of attractions. Presentation of monuments entails, first, preservation and then interpretation. Effective interpretation has to take account of the visitors. A case study is made of visitor management and interpretation at Lalitagiri. The measures for preservation there are good but there is little provision for interpretation, even in the new museum. It can no longer be assumed that visitors have the background to understand the original contexts of the displays. Without that, they can hardly make adequate sense of what is presented. Options for improving the quality of interpretation are assessed.