On Friday, a multinational delegation comprising 327 naval officers and personnel from 74 countries visited the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.
The delegation, currently in India in connection with international naval engagements, was accorded a traditional welcome inside the temple complex. Under the leadership of Dr. Mahashweta Maharathi, Secretary of the Mahabodhi Temple Management Committee, Buddhist monks honored the visiting officers by presenting them with ceremonial ‘khadas’.
The officers toured various sacred sites within the temple परिसर and were briefed on their historical and religious significance. They paid homage at the sacred Bodhi Tree, under which Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. Members of the delegation also meditated beneath the tree and learned about the life and teachings of the Buddha, including his message of peace, compassion, and coexistence.
Dr. Maharathi said the representatives were informed about the philosophical foundations of Buddhism, the importance of enlightenment, and the global legacy of the Buddhist tradition. Several members of the delegation also showed keen interest in understanding the conservation, maintenance, and protection processes of the Bodhi Tree.
Describing the visit as a “spiritually enriching and memorable experience,” many foreign officers said that coming to Bodh Gaya provided them with an opportunity to closely appreciate India’s cultural heritage.
Notably, the officers are in India to participate in the upcoming International Fleet Review (IFR) and MILAN-26 naval exercise. Since 1995, the Indian Navy has been organizing biennial multilateral maritime events in Visakhapatnam aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and promoting international goodwill.
The visit is being viewed as significant from both spiritual and diplomatic perspectives, as the global representatives carried back a message of peace and compassion from the land of the Buddha.
