Consultants for the preparation of a Management Plan for the ancient Buddhist site of Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The Management Plan for the UNESCO World Heritage Site has Abha Narain Lambah Associates leading a multidisciplinary team of international experts, architects, archaeologists, historians, conservation specialists, planners, landscape architects, geotechnical experts and specialists from the fields of risk management, tourism, interpretation, signage and lighting design for a holistic conservation and management plan for the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The significance of the site dates to the 6th Century BC when Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, followed by the construction of the Vajrasana Temple by Asoka in the 3rd Century BC and the railings by the Sunga Rulers in the 2nd to 1st Century BC. The Mahabodhi temple, among the earliest constructed temples in ancient India dates to the 5th Century AD and is the most iconic site exemplifying Buddhist architecture at the centre of the Buddhist spiritual world.
The team undertook detailed mapping, surveys, site inspection and analysis, visitor and stakeholder consultations in order to prepare a comprehensive management plan as per UNESCO requirements. The management plan was approved by Bihar government and has been submitted to UNESCO by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
