Mahabodhi Temple

Gaya, June 28: Nine years have elapsed since Unesco enlisted Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodhgaya as a world heritage site.

Since June 27, 2002, the Mahavihara had many accomplishments and milestones to its credit that include increase in tourist inflow from more than 50 non-Buddhist countries across the globe and the earnings in terms of donation by the devotees, which has increased more than four times.

Now, a restoration plan of the cemented outer boundary wall towards the western side of the temple and of the meditation park towards the eastern side with the story of Lord Buddha carved on it, is on the cards.

Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) member secretary Nangzey Dorjee told The Telegraph that a special prayer was held on Monday under the holy Bodhi tree on the Mahavihara campus to commemorate the completion of nine years since the Unesco enlisted the Mahavihara as a world heritage site on June 27.

On the occasion, 1,000 oil lamps were lit at the butter-lamp house in the south-west side of the heritage structure. Lighting oil lamps and candles under the Bodhi tree or around the Mahavihara structure has been banned to protect it from pollution.

In the nine-year journey, earnings of BTMC from donations have increased at least four times. In 2002, when the Mahavihara was declared a world heritage site, the earning was less than Rs 1 crore. In the financial year 2010-11, the earnings from donations, charity box and other miscellaneous income, including sale of books, camera fee, rents, meditation fee and bank interest, have crossed Rs 4.25 crore. Earnings from donation is utilised for renovation, beautification and maintenance of the Mahavihara campus.

The donation is utilised in restoration of certain portions of the Mahavihara. The latest project that would be undertaken would be to replace the cemented outer boundary wall on three sides around the Mahavihara with sandstones with the support of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The boundary walls were constructed in the ’70s to ensure safety and security of the ancient structure. To match with the structure, the cemented boundary walls will be replaced with sandstones.

The boundary wall on the southern, western and the northern ends have been divided into 142 blocks and according to estimates, each block would cost around US$ 5,000. Similarly, the eastern side boundary wall of the meditation park on the campus will also be replaced by sandstones. This boundary wall has also been divided into blocks of 6ft by 10ft.

According to estimate, restoration of each block would cost US$ 2,600 and carving of Lord Buddha’s life history would nearly cost US$ 1,100. Earlier, BTMC has spent around Rs 35 lakh for the renovation of the ancient structure.

“Since the site was enlisted, security measures have also been tightened on the Mahavihara campus,” Dorjee said.