Gaya, Oct. 12: Myanmar President U. Thein Sien got the taste of the Buddhist way of life today at Bodhgaya, one of the most revered seats of the religion where Gautam Buddha attained enlight- enment.

Accompanied by wife Daw Khin Khin Win and a 63-member delegation, Sien reached Bodhgaya in a special aircraft of Myanmar airlines.

He is in India following an invitation from President Pratibha Patil.

The aircraft carrying Sien and his entourage, including some of his ministers, landed at Gaya airport amid tight security arrangements at 10.15am. Gaya district magistrate Bandana Preyashi, senior superintendent of police Vinay Kumar and Gaya airport director Samar Kumar Biswas received Sien on the tarmac.

After a brief stop-over in a hotel, Sien, along with the delegates, flew to Kushinagar near Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh in three helicopters provided by the Centre. Kushinagar is the place where Buddha attained mahaparinirwana.

They returned to Bodhgaya in the evening and visited Mahabodhi Mahavihara, a World Heritage Site. Sien was there till late in the evening.

A special four-hour prayer, has been organised at Mahabodhi Mahavihara under the Bodhi tree tomorrow. The special prayer is scheduled to begin at 5am.

After the prayers, the Myanmar president will visit Burmese Vihar, a monastery in Bodhgaya. He will offer civara (robes) to the Buddhist monks in the shrine before leaving for Varanasi.

A special Air India aircraft will carry him to Varanasi, from where the President and his companions will fly to New Delhi.

Offering civara to monks is a Buddhist tradition. The Buddhists believe that the monks spend three months in Varshawaas (rainy retreat) from July to September. During the period, the monks remain indoors in their respective monasteries or other places, meditate and organise prayers. After the Varshawaas period is over, the monks get new civara during ceremonies to offer robes.