Nitish Kumar prays at Buddhist temple for quake victims

Gaya: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday took part in a special prayer in the world famous Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya for the people killed in the devastating earthquake which hit Nepal and the state as well recently.

Kumar also meditated under Mahabodhi tree seeking peace for the departed souls.

Spiritual leaders from many countries and Buddhist monks joined the Bihar CM in the special prayer and meditation for the victims of the April 25 tremblor.

In his speech on the occasion of Buddha Jyanti, Kumar said the state government was extending all help to the earthquake- hit masses in Nepal as well in the state.

The state government was providing Rs 4 lakh compensation to the next of kin of those killed in the earthquake and earlier in tropical storm, besides giving money for reconstruction of damaged homes, he said.

"We should take lessons from Japan where earthquake is a regular feature. People there constructs earthquake-proof houses to minimise the tragedies," Kumar said and appealed to citizens to go for similar solution in the state too.

Gaya District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal presented a cheque of Rs 21 lakh to Kumar for Chief Minister's Relief Fund for earthquake victims on behalf of Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee.

Earlier, the chief minister visited Buddha Smriti park in Patna and offered prayer in memory of earthquake victims.