TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY, GS 1: ART AND CULTURE
THE CONTEXT: Finance Minister announced during her Union Budget speech that corridor projects will be built for the Vishnupad Temple at Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
EXPLANATION:
- These will be “modelled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, to transform them into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations.
- The two temples are located around 10km from each other.
Vishnupad Temple
- It is a Hindu temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishu.
- It is being said that 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 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.
- It was built in 1787 on the orders of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Ahmadnagar.
Vishnupad Temple
Mahabodhi Temple
- 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 that 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.
- It is considered to have had significant influence in the development of brick architecture over the centuries.
- Due to the large number of pilgrims and tourists visiting the site, there is a need to enhance infrastructure and public amenities.
Mahabodhi Temple
Importance of Bihar
- Bihar has seen a number of other significant announcements in this year’s budget in sectors like infrastructure and tourism.
- The state is significant to national politics, particularly in light of the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar’s 12 seat win in the state during the 2024 general elections.
- The BJP, with its 240 seats, needs the support of smaller allies like the JD(U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which won 16 seats in Andhra Pradesh.