Gaya: Mahabodhi Mahavihara reopens after nearly 3 months

GAYA: Mahabodhi Mahavihara, the shrine deciated to Lord Buddha’s enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, reopened on Wednesday morning after more than two months after the Centre allowed religious places to be opened following social distancing norms under Unlock 1.0.
A devotee from China was the first entrant to the shrine. The devotee, wearing a semi- transparent full face shield did not respond to media queries and silently entered the shrine sanctum sanctorum. The Chinese devotee was identified as Chung Chuang. He is staying at a local monastery in Bodh Gaya.
A sizeable number of foreigners from countries like Thailand and Myanmar among others offered prayers on day one of the shrine unlocking. Security around the shrine, vulnerable to terrorist attacks, remained tight.
While other places of worship in Gaya, including Vishnupad Temple, the seat of salvation of departed Hindu souls reopened June 8, Mahabodhi Mahavihara reopened on Wednesday. Gaya district magistrate (DM) Abhishek Singh attributed the delay in reopening Mahabidhi Mahavihara to framing of detailed standard operating procedure (SoP) for shrine entrance and its comprehensive sanitisation.
As per the SoP notified by Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), not more than 10 devotees are allowed inside the temple sanctum sanctorum and six feet physical distancing is mandatory. Offering of flowers and eatable items is banned inside the sanctum sanctorum.
However, a few loose flowers and sealed water bottles can be put as offering at a special table placed for the purpose in an open area near the enlightenment tree inside the shrine premises. “Devotees above the age of 65 years have been advised to avoid visiting the shrine. Arrangement for thermal scanning of the visitors has been made at the entrance point,” said the DM, who is also ex officio chairman of BTMC.
Welcoming the reopening of Mahabodhi Mahavihara, International Buddhist Council General Secretary Ven Pragya Deep demanded the whole day long opening of the shrine.
As per the schedule notified by the BTMC, the shrine will be opened to devotees and visitors only between 6.00 am- 9.00 am and 4.00 - 6.00 pm. “The shrine opening time notified by the management committee is too short and it must be favourably revised,” the IBC general secretary said.