Devotees throng Bodh Gaya temple as it reopens to public

A day after the Bodh Gaya temple was rocked by serial explosions, the Buddhists' holiest shrine reopened to the public on Monday with devotees in large number thronging there and monks from 50 countries holding a special prayer for return of peace.

Thousands of people thronged the temple immediately after the gate was opened at 6 PM, Arvind Singh, a member of Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), said. "The visitors are allowed to enter the temple after thorough search by Bihar police and temple management committee security staff," he said.

Earlier, Buddhist monks from 50 countries held a special prayer inside Bodh Gaya temple for return of peace after 10 explosions that left two injured. The monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and other countries participated in the one-hour prayer Arvind Singh said. Head of monasteries of different countries also attended the prayer. The Bodh Gaya has Buddhist monasteries of 50 countries.