Mr. Tim Curtis, Director and UNESCO Representative for the Regional Office in New Delhi, visited the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, on Friday, 8 August 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Cutis is the UNESCO’s representative for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Mr. Curtis on his visit to the Mahabodhi Temple experienced the cultural and spiritual heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During his visit, Mr. Curtis was received by the Temple’s Chief Monk, Venerable Bhikkhu Chalinda, Dr. Mahashweta Maharathi, Member-Secretary, Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee along with Mr. Virendra Singh, superintendent archaeologist , ASI museum , Bodhgaya.
Mr. Curtis was taken around the Mahabodhi Temple premises and into the main sanctum, where he offered lights, incense, and flowers, while the venerable monks invoked the blessings of the Buddha by chanting sacred sutras. He participated in the evening prayers of the Theravada and Mahayana traditions performed by the venerable monks of different nations inside the Sanctum Sanctorum . He also meditated under the Holy Bodhi Tree.
Dr. Mahashweta Maharathi briefed Mr. Curtis on the historical, architectural, and spiritual significance of the Mahabodhi Temple, the sacred site of Lord Buddha’s Enlightenment. He also reviewed the ongoing preservation efforts and discussed UNESCO’s continued support for safeguarding the site’s integrity in alignment with global heritage conservation standards.
Mementos were presented to Mr. Curtis, and the visit concluded with him expressing deep appreciation for the temple’s cultural value and reaffirming UNESCO’s commitment to working closely with local authorities and the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee to preserve and promote this iconic heritage site for future generations.