Gaya: With Bodh Gaya’s annual Buddhist spiritual calendar for the 2026-27 tourist season set to begin on Aug 27, the state govt is yet to notify the new Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC).The previous committee’s tenure ended on Aug 16. It is responsible for the upkeep and day-to-day management of the Unesco world heritage-listed Mahabodhi Mahavihara and arrangements for religious activities. The delay comes ahead of the peak tourist season, when thousands of Buddhist pilgrims are expected to visit.Before its tenure ended, the outgoing committee issued a notification listing 37 religious and spiritual events between Aug 27 and March 5.The calendar will open with the Sangh Dana prayer on Aug 27, followed by Monlam prayers, international chanting ceremonies and meditation retreats.A 49-day retreat focusing on the Shurangama Mantra and Ksitigarbha Sutra will be held from Sept 7 to Oct 31, with delegations from Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand and Japan expected to participate. Other major events include the 15-day 5th Vietnamese Tipitaka chanting from Nov 14 to 28 and the 21st International Tipitaka chanting ceremony from Dec 2 to 12.The latter half of Dec and early Jan will see congregations from various Tibetan Buddhist traditions, with the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, Fifth Ladakh Jammon Chenmo, Sakya Monlam and 23rd Dechod Monlam among the key events.Gaya district magistrate-cum-BTMC chairman Shashank Shubhankar said, “Till the state government issues the notification for the new committee, additional district magistrate (revenue) Paritosh Kumar has been deputed to discharge the routine responsibilities of the heritage shrine.”
