Mahabodhi temple, Buddha idol safe in serial blasts

The Mahabodhi temple complex structure has not suffered any damage, said a top official here Sunday following a string of bombings that left two monks injured in Bihar's Bodh Gaya.

"The temple complex structure has not suffered any damage. The monastery and the statue of Lord Buddha are safe," union Home Secretary Anil Goswami told reporters here.

According to the home ministry, blasts took place in quick succession between 5.30 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the temple complex and near the Bodhi tree.

"Eight blasts took place inside the Mahabodhi temple between 5.30 a.m and 6 a.m."

The director general of police Bihar reported that "four blasts have taken place inside the temple complex, three blasts (took place) inside the monastery complex, and one blast was ...adjacent to the statue of Lord Buddha", Goswami added.

Two people were injured in the blasts and have been taken to hospital.

"A team of NSG (National Security Guard) will carry out the post-bomb analysis, and a team of NIA (National Investigative Agency) will investigate the matter and has been sent from here," he said.

The temple at Bodh Gaya was built at the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment over 2,500 years ago. It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2002.