Lucknow, June 11 -- The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Royal Government of Bhutan to construct a Bhutanese Temple and pilgrim guest house near Sarnath in Varanasi, strengthening Buddhist tourism and cultural ties between the two countries. The project will come up on nearly two acres of land leased by the state government for 30 years at a symbolic annual rent of Rs.1. The complex will include a temple, accommodation for monks and pilgrims, and facilities for religious and cultural activities. Officials said the centre would serve Bhutanese pilgrims visiting India's Buddhist circuit and promote Buddhist learning and cultural exchange. The agreement was signed in Lucknow in the presence of senior officials from both sides. Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, is among the world's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Officials said the monastery would strengthen its international profile alongside centres established by Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said the project would boost pilgrim arrivals, support local businesses and reinforce Uttar Pradesh's position on the international Buddhist circuit....