Monks from Mahabodhi meditation centre take out a procession in Bodhgaya on Thursday. Around 120 Buddhist monks from different countries began the three-month varshawaas (rainy retreat) at various meditation centres in Bodhgaya. The monks — who had come from Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Japan, Korea and different parts of India — would meditate at Mahabodhi Meditation Centre while offering prayers for happiness to the humanity. Besides the Mahabodhi Meditation Centre, the monks will also start varshawaas at International Meditation Centre, Dhammabodhi Meditation Centre, Root Institute and 45-odd monasteries across Buddhist countries. Mahabodhi Meditation Centre in-charge Bhikkhu Chandra Muni said that before going indoors for the varshawaas that will end on October 30, the monks offered prayers under the sacred Bodhi (peepal) tree. Text by Alok Kumar. Picture by Suman