Thailand's prince visits Bodhgaya temple in Bihar

Gaya (Bihar), Nov.13 (ANI): Thailand's prince Maha Vajiralongkorn visited Bodhgaya temple in Bihar's Gaya district on Saturday.

On a day-long visit, the Prince was accompanied by his wife Princess Srirasmi and their two children.

Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, also Thailand's Ambassador to India, is on a 'Journey of Faith' to mark the 50th anniversary of Thai Airways.

Officials of the Thai force accompanied the royal family.

This pilgrimage tour by the Prince and his family is expected to give a boost to religious tourism between the two countries.

Bodhgaya is an important pilgrimage for Buddhist around the world. Lord Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under a Banyan tree in the Bodhgaya temple.

Historically, it was known as the Bodhimanda (ground around the Bodhi-tree), Uruvela, Sambodhi, Vajrasana and Mahabodhi.

The name Bodhgaya did not come into use until the 18th century. The main monastery of Bodhgaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihara (Pali). Now it is called the Mahabodhi Temple.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodhgaya, a World Heritage site in 2002. (ANI)