PM Modi arrives in Bodh Gaya to attend Buddhist conclave

Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bihar`s Gaya district on Saturday to attend the concluding ceremony of the three-day international Buddhist conclave in Bodh Gaya, officials said.

Modi was received by the Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind and Minister Shyam Razak at Gaya`s airport.

This is Modi`s first visit as prime minister to Bodh Gaya, a holy place for Buddhists, about 110 km from here.

Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee secretary N. Dorjee said 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, and Taiwan.

Modi will address monks and religious heads of several countries, 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.

According to police officials, Bodh Gaya has been turned into a fortress and a 16-member Special Protection Group (SPG) team has been monitoring the security arrangements.