Over 100 buses to carry Nagpur Buddhists to Bodh Gaya for Mukti Andolan
Nagpur: The Mahabodhi Mahavihar
Mukti Andolan
Sangharsh Samiti announced on Friday that over 100 buses will ferry Buddhist devotees from Nagpur to
Bodh Gaya
on May 11. This mobilisation supports the ongoing
Mahabodhi Mahavihar
Mukti Andolan, which advocates for the complete management of the Bodh Gaya temple to be handed over to the
Buddhist community
.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Rakesh Dhargawe said that approximately 12 lakh Buddhists are expected to gather in Bodh Gaya for Buddha Purnima on May 12. "From Nagpur, we have arranged for more than 100 buses to depart from Samvidhan Chowk on May 11, carrying 45 to 50 passengers each. The return journey is scheduled for May 14," he informed.
Bhante Vinacharya also addressed the press, highlighting the significance of the pilgrimage and the movement's demand for Buddhist control of the Mahabodhi Mahavihar. He emphasised the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage and the importance of the Mahabodhi Mahavihar for Buddhists worldwide. "The complete management of the sacred site should be under the exclusive control of the Buddhist community," he said.
The cost for the round trip, including meals, is Rs6500 for AC buses and Rs6000 for non-AC buses, and the commuters paid it voluntarily, informed Yogesh Raut, a member of the committee. He said that the number of buses may reach the 150 by May 11 as the response from Nagpurians is overwhelming.
"The Samiti is facilitating this large-scale travel to enable participation in the Buddha Purnima gathering and to support the Mahabodhi Mahavihar Mukti Andolan," he said.
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