Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced during her Union Budget speech on Tuesday (July 23) that corridor projects will be built for the Vishnupad Temple at Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. These will be “modelled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, to transform them into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations,” she said as part of her speech. The two temples are located around 10km from each other. What is their significance in the region? Here is a brief look. The Vishnupad Temple at Gaya As the name suggests, the Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishu. According to the state’s official tourism website, legend says a demon or asura named Gayasur asked the gods to give him powers, which would allow anyone who saw him to attain moksha — freedom from the cycle of rebirth. However, he then misued this special ability, prompting the intervention of Lord Vishnu. He put his right foot atop the demon’s head, to send him to the paatal lok underground. A 40cm-long imprint of a foot, seen in the temple today, is believed to mark that spot. Devotees visit the temple during pitra paksh, a period in the Hindu calendar when people take part in rituals to remember their ancestors. Architecturally, the temple is around 100 feet tall and has 44 pillars. It is located on the banks of the Falgu river and was built in 1787 on the orders of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Ahmadnagar. Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya The Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple stands to the east of the Mahabodhi Tree, where Gautam Buddha is believed to have attained nirvana. The temple has a unique shape and a height of 170 feet. UNESCO’s listing states, “The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is the first temple built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th–6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing, from the late Gupta period and it is considered to have had significant influence in the development of brick architecture over the centuries.” It also noted, “As the site is being visited by pilgrims/tourists (national/international) in large numbers, a need to develop infrastructure and public amenities is anticipated. Proposals will need to be preceded by Heritage Impact Assessments and a particular challenge will be to continuously monitor the impact that potential developments of the area as a whole, including the town, may have on the religious and spiritual significance of the place.” Zooming out – the importance of Bihar In this year’s Budget, Bihar has seen several other important announcements in areas like tourism and infrastructure. The state holds importance in national politics, especially after the 2024 general elections, where the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) won 12 seats in the state. As part of the 293-MP-strong NDA coalition ruling at the Centre, BJP emerged as the largest party with 240 seats but its tally remained under the majority mark of 272. This makes it dependent on smaller allies, such as the JD(U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh with its 16 seats. Announcements have been made for Andhra Pradesh in the Budget too, including Rs 15,000 cr for its new capital, Amaravati.
