GAYA, July 9, 2013: Following serial blasts in the Mahabodhi temple on Sunday morning, members of the bomb disposal squad visited Vishnupad temple, the other important place of worship on the radar of the terrorists/saboteurs to 'sanitize' the shrine. This temple is visited by Hindu pilgrims for the performance of pindadaan rituals for the final salvation of their ancestors' souls. As compared to Mahabodhi shrine, the Vishnupad temple is more vulnerable as the shrine is located on the western flank of the Falgu river and the perennially dry river makes the shrine easily accessible without being noticed.

With Pitrapaksha, the annual festival of pindadaan rituals, only a couple of months away, the Gayawal Pandas are concerned about the shrine's safety. According to Panda leader Mahesh Guput, the current measures for its safety were inadequate and only a few constables have been deployed for the purpose. Guput demanded strengthening of the shrine security.

However, Gaya DM Bala Murgun D denied that the Vishnupad security was inadequate. He said a magistrate has been deputed and further review of the temple security will be done. Asked if, like the Mahabodhi temple, the Vishnupad security too would be handed over to the CISF, the DM said that for the present, no such decision has been made. Appropriate decision will be taken with reference to the threat perception, said the DM. He did not rule out the possibility of CISF cover for the salvation site.
 

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 9, 2013.