BTMC secretary discusses shrine conservation with CM

Gaya: Secretary of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), Mahashweta Maharathi, on Tuesday met CM Nitish Kumar at his official residence in Patna. Accompanied by the shrine’s chief priest Ven Chalinda and caretaker Ven Dinanand, the BTMC secretary apprised the CM of the ongoing work related to the conservation and maintenance of the shrine that symbolises Lord Buddha’s enlightenment and the transformation of a wandering Prince Siddhartha into the Buddha, the enlightened one.The CM, it may be recalled, has been taking keen interest in the development of Bodh Gaya and the promotion of pilgrim tourism in the area. During his night stays in Gaya, the CM generally prefers the Mahabodhi Temple Guest House.While appreciating the work being carried out in Bodh Gaya, the CM asked the BTMC to accelerate the pace of development. He promised all assistance required for the shrine’s welfare.After meeting the CM, the BTMC secretary told this newspaper that the CM’s visionary leadership has helped Bodh Gaya immensely and that his efforts have received global appreciation.She expressed confidence that in the days to come, the CM will take a more proactive interest in the shrine’s conservation and development. Only the other day, a senior official of the ministry of external affairs asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the agency tasked with the shrine’s conservation, to take greater interest in the monument and ensure that conservation-related issues are properly addressed.The visiting monks offered blessings to the CM and presented temple prasad to him. The BTMC secretary, on behalf of the committee, presented a beautifully crafted wooden replica of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara.