Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi visits UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bodh Gaya

On Wednesday, the Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi  visited Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, famous for being the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.  The baton then proceeded to the State capital, Patna.

After visiting the Great Budhha Statue, the baton was taken to Mahabodhi Temple. The Temple Complex was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Here the baton was taken inside the temple and to the holy Bodhi Tree under which Lord Budhha attained enlightenment.

The baton then reached the Patna, capital of Bihar. Patna, formerly Patliputra, was the capital of ancient Magadha Empire and its history goes back well over two millennia.

In Patna, the relay commenced from the Raj Bhavan and culminated at Shri Krishna Memorial Hall. There were 36 Batonbearers who participated in the relay. Hon'ble Governor of Bihar Mr. Devanand Konwar was the first Batonbearer. Many international athletes took part in the relay. They included C Prasad, international footballer; Ms. Smita Kumari, gold medalist in SAF Games Kabaddi; Mr. Krishna Kumar Sharma, qualifier of World Athletics and Mr. Rajeev Kr. Singh, gold medalist in Kabaddi, Asian Games. Other eminent people present at the relay were Cultural and Sports Secretary Mr. Vivek Singh; HRD Secretary, Anjali Kumar Singh; District Sports Officer Krishan Mohan Pandey and Sports Secy. Hemchand Pandey.

The baton is all set to move to the  country's North-East region via Kolkata and Bagdogra.