Her Excellency Ms. May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India, visited Bodhgaya on Tuesday, 8th July 2025, as part of her official visit to Bihar from 7th to 9th July 2025. She was accompanied by her spouse, Mr. Espen Aasen, and Senior Advisor, Ms. Undis V. Singh.
Upon arrival at the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, Her Excellency and her accompanying delegation were warmly received with a traditional khada by the Chief Monk, Ven. Bhikkhu Chalinda, Ven. Bhikkhu Dinanand, along with Dr. Mahasweta Maharathi, Secretary of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), and BTMC Members Dr. Arvind Singh and Shri Kiran Lama.
Inside the sanctum sanctorum, a special chanting ceremony was performed by the resident monks, invoking blessings for Her Excellency in an atmosphere of deep spiritual serenity.
At the conclusion of her visit, the BTMC presented Her Excellency with a replica of the Mahabodhi Temple, along with a selection of its publications. Mementos were also offered to the accompanying delegates as a gesture of respect and appreciation.
Her Excellency’s visit reaffirms the Mahabodhi Temple’s enduring significance as a global symbol of peace, spiritual heritage, and cultural reverence. Ambassador commented in the visitor’s book- “ Thank you for the beautiful and peaceful time at this memorable place. Namaste “