The Indian government estimates that 55.7 billion rupees, or $1.2 billion, needs to be invested to build facilities to promote tourism and conserve the sites linked to the Buddha, according to an Indian Tourism Ministry statement in New Delhi on Monday.

India is trying to attract more tourists from countries other than the United States and Britain, its traditional markets.

Buddhist sites in states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa will help the country offer overseas tourists more destinations beyond the beach resorts of Goa and the Taj Mahal at Agra in northern India.