Preparations are on in the state’s different Buddhist pilgrimage sites to mark Buddha Purnima — the anniversary of Lord Buddha attaining enlightenment — this Saturday.

Patna, Bodhgaya and Ragjir — spots associated with Lord Buddha — would be host to chants and prayers conducted by monks and devotees on May 25. Chief minister Nitish Kumar would also attend the prayer and meditation sessions at Buddha Smriti Park in Patna.

Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo) and Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) are looking after the arrangements at the shrine. Several relics brought from six countries are enshrined in a 200-foot-high Patliputra Karuna Stupa.

A senior BUIDCo officer said: “We want to go big with the Buddha Purnima celebration at the Buddha Smriti Park, as it is Patna’s only Buddhist pilgrimage spot. The central stupa and other blocks, including the meditation block, would be decorated and sounds systems will be installed. BTMC has confirmed the participation of monks of different Buddhist sects in different countries for holding the prayer session with the chief minister.”

Apart from the sessions in Patna, processions, mass prayer sessions and meal would be held at Bodhgaya, the site of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment. Japanese and Therawada monks are expected to perform special prayers in Rajgir and Vaishali too.

However, officials at 1 Aney Marg did not confirm any prayer session at the Bodhi plant at the chief minister’s official residence.