Patna, Jan 5 (IANS) Around 1,700 Hindus in Bihar have embraced Buddhism citing the religion's emphaisis on unity and no discrimination among its followers, an official said Monday.

Of these, 1,200 belong to Bainkathpur and Kudarbagha villages in Saran district, about 80 km from here, said a district police official.

The conversion took place Saturday and Sunday, the official added.

According to the official, most of those converted to Buddhism were dalits and mahadalits and have been facing social discrimination in day to day life.

After converting to Buddhism, they said they have chosen the new religion for its stress on unity and no discrimination among its followers, the official said.

On Saturday, 500 Hindus embraced Buddhism in the state's Gaya district.