Suresh Chandra (left), a scientist from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, inspects the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya on Saturday. Picture by Suman

Gaya, Sept. 10: A scientist of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, today visited the world heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara and inspected the holy Bodhi (banyan) tree and the other plants on the campus.

The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the institute so that the Bodhi tree remains in good shape.

The inspection today assumes importance because the tourist season is scheduled to begin in Bodhgaya from October. During the tourist season, Buddhist devotees of different sects organise prayers on the Mahabodhi Mahavihara campus. During the prayers, huge number of devotees assembles on the Mahavihara campus, especially under the Bodhi tree.

The annual events will start with the Kathina Civara dana ceremony on October 24 and conclude with the eight-day Kagyupa international Monlam prayer for world peace from March 1 to 8 organised by Kagyupa International Monlam Trust, Bodhgaya. Spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, would lead the 11-day Kalchakra Puja at Bodhgaya from December 31 this year to January 10 next year.

The Forest Research Institute scientist, Suresh Chandra, after the inspection of the Bodhi tree, said: “It is in good health.” He suggested pruning of a portion of one of the branches that had developed fungus. He immediately applied Chaupatia paste on that portion. The scientist also applied a paste prepared by mixing bayleton chemical and linseed oil on the trunks of the Bodhi tree. Chandra also visited the meditation park and other parts of the Mahavihara campus and the pedestal outside Mahavihara towards the northern side.

The gardeners of BTMC looking after the trees and the plants in and around Mahavihara campus helped the Chandra to conduct the inspection of the trees and the plants and apply chemicals.

The scientist suggested preventive measures to the gardeners to maintain good health of the trees and the plants in and around the Mahavihara campus. BTMC had signed an MoU with the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun for two years. The current MoU is for five years, from 2010 to 2014.