Bihar: 500 special lights adorn Mahabodhi Mahavihara

GAYA: The especially designed 500 monument lights have been installed at the world famous Mahabodhi Mahavihara with the expenditure of over Rs 6 crore. The nearly 1500 years old shrine symbolizes Buddha’s enlightenment.
The lights have been designed to illuminate the shrine without causing any radiating effect on the monument, which is a world heritage site. The custom-made LED lights, focusing on the structure to provide brilliant illumination, add to the attraction of the shrine that usually witnesses heavy footfall in October-February period.
Gaya DM Abhishek Singh said 200 more such lights would be installed in the coming months. “The adjustable lighting system has been designed to give a new glow to the shrine without compromising with the serenity of the place,” he said.
Besides the monument lights, a 3km-long underground cabling work is also being executed on the shrine premises. A Himachal Pradesh based group of Buddha followers is bearing the entire cost of illumination and underground electrical cabling. On its completion, the project is estimated to cost Rs 9 crore.
As per information provided by the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), the complete lighting design has been prepared by a Thai company. As per the terms of agreement, the company engaged for the project’s execution will have to offer free maintenance for a period of two years. “The project would be competed by the end of 2020,” said the DM, who is also the ex office chairman of BTMC.
A few years back, the shrine had got a 300kg golden dome from Thai Buddhists.