Bihar: Majestic Inauguration of 100-Foot Sleeping Buddha in Bodh Gaya Draws Global Devotees

BODH GAYA – The country’s largest sleeping Buddha statue was inaugurated in Bodh Gaya. The 100-foot-long and 30-foot-high idol of Lord Buddha is in a sleeping posture. It was unveiled on Sunday, attended by Buddhist devotees from different countries.

First, Buddhist mantras were recited, and then the curtain was formally raised over the statue. Not only this, but Buddhist followers also wished for world peace. The tall statue in a sleeping posture has been installed near the riverside road near Amva village of Bodh Gaya.

Now, the devotees and tourists coming to Bodh Gaya, apart from visiting the monasteries and temples, will also see the statue of Lord Buddha in a sleeping posture.

The inauguration program was organized by the Buddha International Centre. The foundation stone for the installation of this statue was laid in 2011. Construction work started in 2019, and since then, construction work has been ongoing continuously. It took about 5 years to complete it. A large number of Buddhist devotees were present at the unveiling. On the occasion of the unveiling of the statue, huge fireworks were also done.

The place where the statue has been installed is situated just 4 kilometers away from the Mahabodhi Temple. With this, the devotees and tourists coming to Bodh Gaya, apart from visiting the monasteries and temples, will also see the statue of Lord Buddha in a sleeping posture.

Aryapal Bhikshu, Founder Secretary of Buddha International Welfare Mission, said that the statue is made of fiber. Buddha International Welfare Mission has constructed it. Construction work started in 2019. It was first made in Kolkata by sculptor Mintu Paul and 22 craftsmen along with him. Later, it was brought to Bodh Gaya in pieces and fitted into a frame made of steel and cement.