Pics: How blasts changed 1500-yr-old temple in Bodh Gaya

Patna, July 8: Nine successive bomb blasts in and around Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar shocked the country once again. Two monks from Tibet and Myanmar were injured.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) officials including explosive experts have been sent to Bihar to investigate the post-blasts situation. The team would help the state police in collection of evidence and assist in post-blasts investigation.

The 1500-year-old temple is a UNESCO World heritage site. The blasts, however, did not cause any damage to the Bodhi tree inside the temple. It is believed that Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment under the holy tree. The temple city is frequently visited by Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China, Japan and the whole of southeast Asia.

The first blast took place around 5:00 am followed by seven successive explosions on Sunday, July 7.Four blasts took place inside the temple complex while four occurred outside it.

A Buddhist monk being treated

A Buddhist monk being treated after he was injured in an explosion in Mahabodhi Temple campus at Bodhgaya on Sunday. Nine serial explosions today rocked the internationally renowned temple town of Bodh Gaya.

A Buddhist monk injured in the blast

A Buddhist monk injured in the blast being taken for treatment at Anugrah Narayan Magadh medical college at Bodhgaya, Bihar on Sunday.

A Buddhist monk looks

A Buddhist monk looks as the security personnel inspect the campus of the Mahabodhi Temple after the series of blast at Bodhgaya.

Blood lies splattered on the floor of the Mahabodhi Temple

Blood lies splattered on the floor of the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya on Sunday. Nine serial explosions rocked the internationally renowned temple town of Bodh Gaya.

Security personnel inspect the site of blast

Security personnel inspect the site of blast, ocuured in the Mahabodhi temple complex at Bodhgay on Sunday.

Security personnel inspecting the explosion site

Security personnel inspecting the explosion site where worshipers offer butter lamps behind the Bodhi tree, in Bodhgaya.

A Buddhist Monk worshiping

A Buddhist Monk worshiping out side the Mahabodhi temple complex at Bodhgaya. Nine serial explosions rocked the internationally renowned temple town of Bodh Gaya.

Security personnel inspecting the explosion site

Security personnel inspecting the explosion site after a serial blast in Mahabodhi temple complex at Bodhgaya.

N I A team visits

N I A team visits the world heritage Mahabodhi Temple after the serial bomb blasts at Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya.

Bihar DGP discussing with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

Bihar DGP Abhayanand discussing with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after serial blast near Mahabodhi temple complex at Bodhgaya.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visit

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visit The World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple after a series of blast took place in Budh temples at Bodhgaya.

Security personnel detonating a cane bomb

Security personnel detonating a cane bomb, recovered from Buddhist Tergar Monastery at World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya.

Bomb disposal squad

Bomb disposal squad defusing another cane bomb found near a hotel at Bodhgaya.

Sketches of two suspected perpetrators

Sketches of two suspected perpetrators involved in a series of nine blasts which rocked the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, released by police.

BJP activists burn

BJP activists burn an effigy of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at Bodhgaya against serial blasts.

Buddhist Community people protest

Buddhist Community people protest against serial blasts at the Internationally renowned temple town of Bodhgaya in Bihar, at Chaityabhoomi Dadar in Mumbai.

Buddhist Monks take part in a silent protest

Buddhist Monks take part in a silent protest against serial explosions at Bodhgaya, in Kolkata.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad members burn effigy of terrorists

Vishwa Hindu Parishad members burn effigy of terrorists after a series of blast in Budh temple of Bodhgaya.

Novice Buddhist monks

Novice Buddhist monks at Terger Monatery after the blasts in the Mahabodhi Temple campus at Bodhgaya on Sunday. Nine serial explosions today rocked the internationally renowned temple town of Bodh Gaya.

A view of illuminated Mahabodhi Temple

view of illuminated Mahabodhi Temple during 2557th Buddha Jayanti celebrations in Bodhgaya.

Buddhist monks and devotees from Thailand

Buddhist monks and devotees from Thailand celebrate 2557th Buddha Jayanti at Mahabodhi Temple.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressing a press conference in Patna on Monday.

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