NEW DELHI :Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday (December 17, 2024) offered prayers at the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya. The UNESCO world heritage site is believed to be the location where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The Sri Lankan President visited the legendary peepul tree as well as other sites associated with the Buddha within the temple premises.
“The Sri Lankan President offered prayers in the sanctum sanctorum of Mahabodhi temple and visited the sacred Bodhi tree. He also visited several other places associated with Lord Buddha in the temple premises,” Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) secretary Mahashweta Maharathi said while speaking to mediapersons. Later, in a post on social media platform X, the Sri Lankan President’s office said, “The President visited Bodh Gaya this morning… paid homage at the Mahabodhi temple and the sacred Sri Mahabodhi tree. He also offered floral tributes to the statue of Anagarika Dharmapala and received blessings from general secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, venerable Pelwatte Seewalee Thero and head of the Sarnath centre, venerable Rathmalwala Sumiththananda Thero.” The Hindu
