The annual Bodhgaya Temple Advisory Board (BTAB) Meeting was convened on Monday, 23rd February 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the ITC WelcomHotel, Bodhgaya.
Her Excellency the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to India, Ms. Mahishini Colonnee, was nominated to preside over the meeting. According to a Facebook post by the Mahabodhi Temple Office, “her gracious presence added solemn dignity to the proceedings, reflecting the deep spiritual and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and the sacred land of Bodhgaya.” (Facebook) Apart from Her Excellency, the meeting was attended by the Consul Generals of Thailand, Laos, Mongolia, Bhutan, Mr. Prashant Agrawal, Additional Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi and Vice-chancellor, Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Secretary and the Director of the Karmik & Adhyatmik, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The BTAB was constituted by the Bihar government in 2023 with representatives from Buddhist countries, Central government, Bihar Legislative Assembly and several dignitaries, with the purpose of directing “the Bodh Gaya temple management committee on all matters related to the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, its management and protection.” (Travel Trade Journal) The complex itself is monitored and managed by the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC). Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists around the globe.
The ceremonial felicitation was performed by the Chief Monk of the Mahabodhi Temple, Bhikkhu Chalinda; Bhikkhu Deenanand (Caretaker Monk); and Member-Secretary, Dr. Mahashweta Maharathi of the BTMC.
When the meeting began, traditional khadaas, along with a sacred plant and a framed Bodhi Leaf, were presented to the members of the BTAB as a gesture of reverence and welcome. The Hon. Commissioner, Magadh Division, Dr. Safeena A.N., IAS and Member Secretary of BTAB, formally welcomed the august gathering and read out the proceedings of the minutes of the previous BTAB Meeting held in 2024.
Throughout the meeting, members presented contributed valuable insights toward the preservation and holistic development of the sacred heartland of Buddhist pilgrimage. Mr. Shashank Shubankar, the District Magistrate, Gaya-cum-Chairman of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, made a presentation on the “Present Status and Developments in Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple Complex Bodhgaya.” He also presented a comprehensive report outlining the recent developments, conservation initiatives, and ongoing projects pertaining to the Mahabodhi Temple Complex and throw light on the proposed Mahabodhi Corridor project.
Furthermore, mementos on behalf of the BTAB were presented to the members and the meeting concluded with a renewed collective commitment to safeguarding the sanctity, heritage, and global spiritual significance of Bodh Gaya, seen by all Buddhists as the land of enlightenment.
Also present at this annual gathering were esteemed representatives from the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Mr. T.J. Alone (Director, Tourism, Government of Bihar; Director, Director, Directorate of Museum/Archaeology, Government of Bihar, Patna; Additional Director General (Archaeology), Government of India, New Delhi; and Superintending Archaeologist for Patna Circle). Shri Hari Om (Chairperson, Nagar Parishad, Bodhgaya), Smt. Lalita Devi (Executive Officer, Nagar Parishad, Bodhgaya, Inspector, Security in-charge, Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, Commandant, BSAF); Shri Sushil Kumar (IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gaya); and Shri Kota Kiran Kumar, IPS, City SP, Gaya also attended the Meeting. Chief Monk Bhikkhu Chalinda, Caretaker Monk Bhikkhu Deenanand, and BTMC members Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh and Mr. Kiran Lama, were Special Invitees.
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Bihar govt constitutes advisory board of Bodh Gaya Temple (Travel Trade Journal)