Panic spreads after cutting Holy tree

Gaya, Jul 20 (UNI) Spread here after news spread about the cutting of a branch of the old Mahabodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya.

The local administration and the temple management committee were taken aback when they found that a branch of the tree was cut off illegally.

Accompanied by Police Superintendent Dr Amit Kumar Jain, District Magistrate cum Chairman of the management committee of the temple, Jitendra Srivastav said any comment without investigation of the forest department would be speculative and improper.

Botany experts had been asked to investigate the matter, he said adding that it appeared that the branch had been cut some two to four days back.

Security in and around the temple had been beefed up.

Meanwhile, Buddhist monk Bodhipal said that a branch of the tree had been cut 35 years ago in order to protect it. A chemical was regularly being applied at the cut mark to protect it from insects.

The temple holds international importance as followers of Buddhism from all over the world visit the shrine, a symbol of faith and belief. The tree is considered to be so sacred that Buddhists purchase its leaves.

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