- This tree has special importance in Buddhism
- The Bodhi tree is taken care of with the help of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.
- This is the fourth Bodhi tree currently planted in the Mahabodhi Temple.
Dainik Bhaskar Bureau,
You must have seen and heard of lakhs of rupees being spent on the treatment of a person. Apart from this, you would also know about the treatment of animals and birds. But, you will definitely be surprised to know what we are going to tell you now. Every year lakhs of rupees are spent in the treatment of a tree in Gaya district of Bihar.
Not only this, scientists come from Dehradun to check the health of the tree. However, there is an important reason behind this. Actually, this tree has special importance in Buddhism due to which lakhs of rupees are spent on it every year. Also, to take care of this tree, scientists visit Gaya about three to four times in a year to check its health.
What is the importance?
This tree has special importance in Buddhism. It is believed that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under this tree. Since then it came to be known as the Bodhi tree which is located in the Mahabodhi Temple of Gaya. The Mahabodhi Temple of Gaya, Bihar is the most sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists. People who come here take the fallen leaves from this tree with them and worship it.
Investigation is going on since last few days –
Health checkup of the Bodhi tree is going on for the last few days. This time two scientists Santan Bartwal and Shailesh Pandey from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun have come for investigation. Scientists said that the Bodhi tree is completely healthy and currently it does not need any treatment. He also told that the size of the leaves of the tree has also increased. Scientists also examined the trunk of the tree, in which no disease was found. According to scientists, at present the tree is absolutely healthy.
This is how care is taken –
The Bodhi tree is taken care of with the help of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. Scientists from the institute visit Gaya three to four times every year to check the health of the trees. According to the investigation, medicines are sprayed and branches are cut keeping in mind the health of the tree. If necessary, chemical coating is also applied. This tree was planted around 1880 due to which it has now become very huge. The branches of this huge tree are supported by about 12 iron pillars.
Was brought to India from Sri Lanka in 1880 –
At present, this is the fourth Bodhi tree planted in the Mahabodhi Temple. In 1880, Lord Cunningham brought it from Anuradhapuram, Sri Lanka and planted it. Before this the Bodhi tree had been destroyed three times. The Bodhi tree was first cut down by Emperor Ashoka’s wife Tisyarakshita. The queen did this out of anger over the growing attitude of Emperor Ashoka (after the Kalinga war). Shashanka, the ruler of Bengal, had cut down the second Bodhi tree in about 602-620 AD with the intention of erasing the existence of Buddhism.
The third tree that grew from the roots of the Bodhi tree got destroyed due to a natural disaster. During that time excavation work was going on under the leadership of Lord Cunningham. After this, in the year 1880, he got a branch of Bodhi tree from Anuradhapuram, Sri Lanka and got it planted.
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