Amid protests by various political parties to his visit Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who arrived in Indian early on Friday morning, offered prayers at the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, soon after his arrival.
"Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa along with a high-level delegation of officials offered prayers at the Mahabodhi temple, where
Lord Buddha attained enlightenment for peace and development of his country,” a Gaya district official said.
The Sri Lankan president refused to speak with mediapersons despite repeated attempts.
Bodh Gaya's 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi Temple is considered Buddhism's holiest shrine. It was declared a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage site in June 2002.