The Indian Women's Hockey Team visited the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple in Bodhgaya on Wednesday ahead of the Thursday match with Thailand.

The hockey team players are currently participating in the Asian Women’s Hockey Championship taking place in Rajgir from 11 to 20 November 2024. 

The players visited the sacred Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple in the Buddhist holy city of Bodhgaya. The team, which is staying in Bodhgaya during the championship, also took the opportunity to visit significant historical and spiritual sites in the region.

"In a notable show of international unity, the Indian team was joined by a 19-member delegation of empires from various nations, as also members from physiotherapist team, strengthening the bonds between players across borders," a statement from the Women’s Hockey Team said. 

The combined visit highlighted the connection between cultures and the shared reverence for the Mahabodhi Temple’s spiritual heritage, it added.

After the hockey players arrived at the Mahabodhi Temple, they were welcomed by the Secretary, Chief Monk, Caretaker Monk, and other senior monks, who offered them traditional Khadas (ceremonial scarves) as a mark of honor and blessing. 

The visitors were then guided to the Garbh Grih (sanctum sanctorum), where a special chanting ceremony was led by the Chief Monk to offer blessings and invoke goodwill.

The players then offered flowers and incense to Lord Buddha as a gesture of devotion. As a mark of respect, the team members received a souvenir Bodhi leaf, symbolising enlightenment and peace. 

The Indian teams also took a tour around the Mahabodhi Temple and its surroundings, gaining insights into the historical and spiritual significance of the place.

The team expressed their gratitude and extended their appreciation to the organisers and the monks for the warm reception and the memorable experience. 

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s visit to such a revered site, alongside their international counterparts, has been a highlight of their stay in Bodhgaya, reinforcing their connection with the region’s rich cultural heritage, the statement said.

This visit underlines the strong bond between sports and culture, emphasizing the spirit of harmony, respect, and appreciation across all fields, it added.