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Regular-article-logo Saturday, 05 July 2025

Temple body blames work delay on ASI

The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) has blamed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for delay and stopping of renovation work of the inner railings of the Mahabodhi temple, and denied the ASI's allegation of creating hurdles.

Dev Raj Published 25.04.18, 12:00 AM
The stones kept for the Bodhgaya temple pillars. Picture by Suman

Patna: The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) has blamed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for delay and stopping of renovation work of the inner railings of the Mahabodhi temple, and denied the ASI's allegation of creating hurdles.

The assertions by BTMC follow a report published in The Telegraph saying that the ASI's Patna circle had sought permission from its Delhi headquarters to stop restoration and renovation work of the inner railing at the Unesco World Heritage site, saying the committee was creating hurdles in it. "ASI officials in Patna are trying to shift their negligence and lapses by delaying construction and renovation of inner pillars," BTMC secretary N. Dorjee said.

Dorjee said the stone material brought for restoration work was unloaded by ASI's Patna circle office and was lying scattered on the grounds of Mahabodhi temple's south garden area, since 2014.

Work finally started in May 2017 because of which the entire area remained disturbed as far as movement of tourist and pilgrims was concerned. "We requested ASI's Patna circle superintending archaeologist several times to complete work within the stipulated time so that inconvenience caused to tourists and pilgrims, who were complaining about dust pollution, ends, but they did not take care and the work progress remained very slow," Dorjee said.

The matters came to a head when the Dalai Lama visited the camp in Bodhgaya and participated in religious ceremonies in January, followed by chief minister Nitish Kumar's visit to the temple on January 17 following the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) there.

"The chief minister was coming to the Mahabodhi temple for a project presentation, so we had to take immediate action. The BTMC shifted that the stones lying scattered in the garden area after receiving complaints of dust pollution, and that too because of the chief minister and the Dalai Lama's visit," the BTMC secretary said.

Dorjee said the site of ancient Taradih monastery, where the stones were shifted, was chosen after state archaeology director, Gaya district magistrate-cum-ex-officio chairman of BTMC, and he visited it. He claimed the archaeology department gave permission to use the site till completion of restoration of inner railing work by ASI.

"The stones were shifted with full care, without damage. It is clear that ASI officials of Patna circle are trying to shift their liability on lapses and delay in completing the work," Dorjee said.

ASI Patna circle superintending archaeologist D.N. Sinha said ASI was working continuously since May 2017 at the Mahabodhi temple to restore the inner railing but the work was stopped from December 2017 because of obstructions by BTMC.

"If BTMC throws away material being used in renovation without even bothering to inform ASI, it is a clear case of creating obstruction in work. What was the reason that they did not inform us? Many finished pillars and crude pillars have been damaged causing a set-back to our work. We have photo and video evidences in this regard," Sinha said.

Meanwhile, the work at Mahabodhi temple stands stalled as the ASI is waiting for instructions from its headquarters.

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