Controversy surrounding the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949:

• The BTA was enacted after disputes between the Hindu and Buddhist communities regarding control of the temple.
• Prior to this, the temple was under Hindu control, especially after the Mughal Empire in 1590 and following the Pala decline.
• The BTA created an 8-member management committee for the temple with equal representation from Hindus and Buddhists.
• However, the District Magistrate (usually from the Hindu community) was the ex-officio chairperson, giving Hindus a majority.
• This has been a point of contention for the Buddhist community, leading to calls for reform.
• The Supreme Court petition filed by monks in 2012 is yet to be heard, further fuelling their cause.

• Bodh Gaya, Bihar, 96 km from Patna, 15 km from Gaya
• The temple marks the spot where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in 531 BCE.
• Designated in 2002 for its religious, historical, and architectural importance.

• Early example of brick architecture.
• Features two large shikhara towers, tallest being 55 meters high.
• Houses Vajrasana (Seat of Enlightenment).
• Sculptural reliefs depicting scenes from Buddha’s life.

• Bodhi Tree (descendant of original tree planted by Buddha)
• Animeshlochan Chaitya (Second Week of Buddha’s meditation)
• Ratnachakrama (Third Week of Buddha’s meditation)
• Ratnaghar Chaitya (Fourth Week)
• Ajapala Nigrodh Tree (Fifth Week)
• Lotus Pond (Sixth Week)
• Rajyatana Tree (Seventh Week)

• First temple built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE.
• Current structure from 6th century CE with restorations during Pala period.
• Hiuen Tsang visited in 629 AD.

• Built with brick and stucco.
• Large Buddha statue in meditative posture.
• Stone railings relocated to nearby museum.
• Actively preserved and restored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(a) Andhra (b) Gandhara (c) Kalinga (d) Magadha