Patna: The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) has begun issuing a unique identification number for every leaf that falls from the Mahabodhi tree, the sacred fig under which Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have attained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago.
The initiative is intended to serve as a certificate of authenticity for devotees who regard the tree’s heart-shaped leaves as powerful symbols of wisdom, peace, and spiritual awakening. In Buddhism, even the dried leaves of the Bodhi tree are treated with reverence and often preserved in homes and monasteries as objects of worship.
“The leaves of the Bodhi tree represent knowledge and spirituality,” said Pragya Deep, general secretary of the All India Bhikkhu Sangha. “They symbolise the peace and joy that come from inner awakening, which is why devotees treasure them so deeply.”
The Mahabodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is one of the most sacred living monuments in the world and attracts more than three million devotees and tourists every year, including large numbers from Buddhist-majority countries. To protect it, the BTMC spends between Rs. 10 and 12 lakh annually on security and maintenance.
Four battalions of the Bihar Military Police, led by an officer of DSP rank, are deployed to guard the tree. CCTV cameras monitor the site around the clock, and its security arrangements are periodically reviewed by major security and investigative agencies. Scientists from the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun also conduct monthly health inspections of the tree.
Mahasweta Maharathi, secretary of the BTMC, said that while devotees are allowed to collect leaves that fall naturally near them, plucking green leaves or causing any harm to the tree is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
“Everything associated with this tree is considered sacred,” she said. “People believe the fallen leaves are a blessing from Lord Buddha. We cannot stop them from picking up a leaf that falls near them, but we ensure that no one damages the tree.”
BTMC staff collect most of the fallen leaves and process them carefully to preserve their condition. Ravi Kumar, an employee of the committee, explained that the leaves are first soaked in water, gently cleaned, dried, pressed between the pages of books, and later laminated. They are then stored in a special repository.
Once preserved, the leaves are distributed as sacred gifts to devotees and dignitaries visiting Bodh Gaya. Some are also sent to Buddhist countries, though only after obtaining formal permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bihar government. The committee is not authorised to send leaves or cuttings abroad without official clearance.
Despite the presence of Bodhi tree branches and saplings in many countries, the original tree at Bodh Gaya holds unmatched religious importance as the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment. To protect its vast and ancient structure, iron supports and pillars have been installed to guard against damage from storms and strong winds.
With the introduction of unique IDs, each leaf will now carry not only spiritual significance but also official recognition of its origin, reinforcing the Mahabodhi tree’s status as one of the most carefully protected sacred symbols in the world.
