Visitors to Buddha Smriti Park would shortly enjoy multimedia laser shows at night that would enlighten them on the life and preaching of the Lord.

Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo) on Wednesday started the process of selecting firms that would supply and commission the shows at the park.

“We have issued a notice inviting tenders from intending firms to run multimedia laser shows at the Buddha Smriti Park. The shows are aimed at educating devotees and visitors on the life of the Buddha and the history of Bihar. The shows will be a source of entertainment, too. The corporation has taken up the project on a priority basis and we intend to award the work to the selected firm by August 15. Visitors can expect to watch the shows from the first week of September,” a senior BUIDCo officer said.

The selected firm would conduct the shows with the running time of 20 to 30 minutes, twice or more, at night. The shows would have music, high efficiency laser system, high definition video projection, theatrical lighting, non-propane-based flame effects, surround sound and special effects like bubbles, mist and smoke. The multimedia shows would be based on the history of Bihar, Patliputra, life and teachings of Lord Buddha. (See graphics)

The officer added that there might be a ticketing system for the multimedia laser shows.

“While BUIDCo would give money to the selected firm to run the shows, the company would have to share a part of the revenue generated through sales proceed of tickets. The shows would be held in the open space between the central stupa also know as Patliputra Karuna Stupa and the meditation halls. The screen would be placed close to the central stupa and viewers would sit on the steps in front of it, which form the Park of Memories. The Park of Memories has a seating capacity of around 5,000 people,” said the officer.

According to sources, to ensure that the shows are held without any unforeseen snags, the selected firm would have to take guarantee of the work for a year after the completion and the commissioning of the work as defect liability period. The bidder would be responsible for the immediate rectification of the snag at his/ her own cost in case of any defect observed during the liability period.

The iconic park spread over 23 acres earlier occupied by Bankipore jail and its associated compound, had come up at the cost of around Rs 125 crore. The shrine embodies strong Buddhist connections of the state capital, wherein relics of Lord Buddha brought from six countries are enshrined in the 200-ft-high Patliputra Karuna Stupa.

The park also has two saplings of the sacred Bodhi Tree brought from Bodhgaya and Anuradhapuram (Sri Lanka). An under-construction museum, meditation block and an under-construction multi-storey car parking facility are also there in the park.

BUIDCo would soon float tenders for selection of firm(s), which would undertake the arrangements for automated parking at the multi-level facility. The four-storey parking structure would accommodate 320 vehicles at a time and has to be completed by mid-August.

Those visiting the park in around two months could also see a brand new statue of Lord Buddha in Bhoomisparsh mudra (posture).

BUIDCo would install the second statue of the Buddha on the park premises. The corporation has started reaching out to artists and firms that can design and install the statue in the park. The sculpture would be 12-ft long and 12-ft wide.

The existing statue of the Buddha would be shifted to the museum inside the shrine and the new statue would be put in its place.