Bihar's two World Heritage properties: the Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya and the Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara

Background

The UNESCO World Heritage Centre's page for India lists two inscribed properties that lie in Bihar, and both are cultural properties. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya carries the inscription year 2002. The Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar carries the inscription year 2016. The Gaya district administration records that the Mahabodhi Mahavihara is the most sacred place of Buddhist Pilgrimage in the world. It records that the gold painted statue of Buddha in the sanctum shrine of the Temple is made of Black stone built by the Pala kings of Bengal, and that the Buddha is seen seated in the Bhumisparsa Mudra, the Earth touching posture. No natural or mixed World Heritage property is listed for Bihar.