Monks and nuns from 13 Buddhist countries would undertake a 13km walking pilgrimage in Gaya later this week, following a route Buddha was once believed to have taken.

Close to 700 monks and nuns would start the 13km walk from Jethian (Gaya district), around 55km east of Bodhgaya and 20km west of Rajgir, on Saturday. They will finish the walking pilgrimage at Venuvana in Rajgir (Nalanda district). The monks and nuns would lead the walk under the banner of International Tipitaka Chanting Council.

Former chief minister Nitish Kumar would be the chief guest, announced Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, which is organising the walk, at a news meet on Tuesday.

Preparing for the walk, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara director Ravindra Pant told mediapersons: 'Thirteen stupas - dedicated to each of the countries the participants are from - have been set up at intervals of 1km between Jethian and Rajgir. The walk will start from Jethian at 12noon. The devotees would plant bamboo saplings at Mulagandhakuti on the Venuvana premises.'

Ancient Buddhist literature states that the 13km path along the valley connecting the present-day Jethian and Rajgir was an important pilgrimage path. Before leaving Rajgir in search of truth, prince Siddhartha had promised king Bimbisara to share his experience after enlightenment. Later, Buddha also escorted the king to Rajgir through the Jethian-Rajgir valley where Bimbisara offered him Venuvana.

The walk is aimed at generating awareness about the lesser known, but important places, associated with Buddha. It also seeks to involve the local community for sustainable livelihood and facilitate a platform where all participants interested in reviving the Buddhist pilgrimage sites can come together.

'Light of Buddha Dhamma Foundation - organisers of the ongoing Tipitaka chanting for world peace at Mahabodhi Mahavihara, Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, International Buddhist Confederation, Mahabodhi Society of India, the state department of art, culture and youth affairs and the Sarvodaya group, Patna, are the co-organisers of the walk,' Pant added.