Senior priests at Buddhism's holiest site have been accused of chopping off a branch from the ancient tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment to sell as a souvenirs.

The desecration of the holy tree in the northern Indian town of Bodh Gaya allegedly took place in June when three men ordered a branch of the tree cut off.

The suspects, who include the chief priest of the Buddhist temple at the site, planned to sell pieces of the branch to pilgrims, who are known to pay up to £5 for a single leaf of the tree that provided shade for Buddha's contemplations.
go