Union Government to develop Bodhgaya as Spiritual Capital

Union Government is going to develop Bodhgaya in Gaya district of Bihar as Spiritual Capital of the country in order to serve the civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world.
It was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing delegates from 90 countries on the concluding day of the International Buddhist Conclave held at Bodh Gaya.
In his address Prime Minister called Gautam Buddha as India’s crown jewel and called Bodh Gaya as the land of enlightenment.

About Bodhgaya

• Bodhgaya is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district of Bihar.
• Significance: It is famous because it place where Gautama Buddha (Founder of Buddhism) is said to have obtained Enlightenment (Bodhimandala) under the peepal tree which is known as the Bodhi Tree.
• For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important place and one of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha. Other three are Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath.
• In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple located in Bodh Gaya was accorded with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2015