Patna/Gaya: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday visited Bodh Gaya for the first time since the formation of the new state government, marking the occasion with prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple, one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites.
Amid tight security arrangements, Kumar was received at the temple by its secretary, Mahashweta Maharathi, and Buddhist monks, before proceeding to the sanctum to offer prayers. Temple priests conducted special rituals and chanting as the chief minister paid homage to Lord Buddha.
According to officials of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), Kumar offered kheer as prasad and later spent a few moments in silent meditation near the Bodhi tree. During the visit, he expressed his reverence for the Buddha and stated that the message of peace and compassion preached by him would never be forgotten and needed to be shared worldwide.
As a gesture of remembrance, the BTMC presented the chief minister with a replica of the Mahabodhi Temple, a Bodhi leaf, a copy of its publication The Bodhi Path: Legends of Buddha, and an art portfolio. Senior monks and temple officials were present during the ceremony.
During his visit, Kumar also inaugurated two electric vehicles procured for use within the Mahabodhi Temple complex. The vehicles have been introduced to facilitate the movement of VIP and VVIP visitors and reduce the need for walking within the premises. Ahead of the Chief Minister’s arrival, civic authorities carried out extensive cleanliness drives across Bodh Gaya, including the spraying of water on major roads, following instructions from the local municipal administration.
The Bodh Gaya visit is being seen as symbolically significant, as it marks Kumar’s first engagement with one of Bihar’s most prominent spiritual centres after assuming office under the new government.
