Vishnupad Temple

About Vishnupad Temple: 

• It is in the state of Bihar and dedicated to Lord Vishu.
• It was built in 1787 on the orders of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Ahmadnagar.
• It is located on the banks of the Falgu river.
• Architecture: Architecturally, the temple is around 100 feet tall and has 44 pillars.
• Devotees visit the temple during pitra paksh, a period in the Hindu calendar when people take part in rituals to remember their ancestors.

Key facts about Mahabodhi Temple

• The temple stands to the east of the Mahabodhi Tree, where Gautam Buddha is believed to have attained nirvana. The temple has a unique shape and a height of 170 feet.
• It is located in Bodh Gaya, in central Bihar, on the banks of the Niranjana River.
• The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is the first temple built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th–6th centuries.
• It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing, from the late Gupta period and it is considered to have had significant influence in the development of brick architecture over the centuries.
• It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Q1: What is the role of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee?

The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.

Source: Budget 2024: Bihar’s Vishnupad and Mahabodhi temples, for which corridor projects were announced