Bodh Gaya turns into fortress ahead of Modi's visit

Security has been beefed up in Bihar's Gaya town in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on September 5.

Modi is scheduled to attend the concluding ceremony of the three-day international Buddhist conclave that began in Delhi.

Bodh Gaya, a holy place for Buddhists, has been turned into a fortress and a 16-member Special Protection Group (SPG) team has been monitoring the security arrangements.

According to the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee secretary N. Dorjee, Modi will attend the ceremony in the temple premises as will the heads of delegations of 90 countries, including former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga and the foreign ministers of Japan, Mayanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Taiwan and other Buddhist countries.

"Modi will be received by Lama Lobjang, secretary of the International Buddhist Council at the Gaya airport and chief priest of the Mahabodhi temple Bhante Chalinda will receive him at the temple," Dorjee said.

Modi will address monks and religious heads of several countries, will attend a special prayer and visit a photo exhibition on the Buddhist heritage and the holy relics of Lord Buddha at the Mahabodhi Society of India.