India to present sapling of original Bodhi Tree to Thailand

A sapling of the original Holy Bodhi Tree from Bodhgaya will be presented to the King of Thailand during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit here on Thursday as a special gift.
The tender sapling was flown in yesterday to this predominantly Buddhist nation.
The Bodhi Tree at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar, is the exact place where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment 2,600 years ago and became the Lord Buddha.
Buddhists revere the holy Bodhi Tree and even the leaves are worshipped by them.
This presentation of the sapling by the Indian premier is expected to be an Prime Minister is expected to be an historic event representing shared cultural heritage of Thailand and India.

Singh will visit Thailand on May 30 and will call on King Bhumibol Adulyadej and later hold talks with his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra.
Several MoUs are expected to be igned during the visit.