Maha Bodhi Society of India

What Maha Bodhi Society of India does

Maha Bodhi Society of India is a Buddhist religious and cultural nonprofit founded in May 1891 by the Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist Anagarika Dharmapala (born David Hewavitarane) and headquartered at 4A Bankim Chatterjee Street, Kolkata. The organization was established for the resuscitation of Buddhism in India and the restoration of the ancient Buddhist shrines at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinara. It operates a network of eight physical centers — including Sri Dharmarajika Vihara (Kolkata), Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Vihara (Bodh Gaya), Mulagandhakuti Vihara (Sarnath), and centers at Lucknow, Bhubaneswar (Odisha), New Delhi, and Lumbini (Nepal) — that together maintain some of the most consequential pilgrimage infrastructure in world Buddhism, including sites housing sacred bone relics of the Buddha and his chief disciples Sariputta and Moggallana.

The society's service portfolio spans daily Buddhist worship (Puja, Pali Sutra chanting, meditation), monastic and novice training, education (Maha Bodhi Vidyapeeth free school with approximately 450 students, Maha Bodhi Inter College, Maha Bodhi Girl's College, Maha Bodhi Private School), free homeopathic healthcare via the Sri Jinaratana Memorial Free Homeopathy Dispensary, ambulance service (operational since 1997), pilgrim accommodation, a Dhamma book shop, and a print journal (The Maha Bodhi, published since 1892). All services are delivered in person at temple sites; there is no software product, no app, and no API surface beyond a WordPress blog with 66,923 cumulative hits and 381 email newsletter subscribers.

The business model is donation-based: devotees, pilgrims, and overseas supporters contribute offerings and funds through a dedicated donations channel on the society's website. Services are provided free of charge or at minimal cost. There is no disclosed revenue, no funding rounds, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no commercial investor base; governance is provided by a volunteer Governing Body including monks, lay members, and dignitaries, led by a President and General Secretary. Core listed staff count is approximately 5, with on-the-ground delivery executed by monastic and volunteer labor across the eight centers.

Name

Maha Bodhi Society of India

Legal name

Maha Bodhi Society of India

Website

https://mahabodhisocietyofindia.wordpress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maha Bodhi Society of India is a 1891-founded Buddhist nonprofit headquartered in Kolkata, operating eight temple, education, and healthcare centers across India and Nepal at sites including Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Lumbini, and serving global Buddhist pilgrims, devotees, and underserved local communities through donations-funded services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Buddhist Monastic Universities & Dharma Colleges (EDAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Buddhist religious services
• Pilgrimage site management
• Buddhist education services
• Religious charitable services
• Buddhist monastic training

Headquarters

HQ city

Kolkata

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Offerings: The organization operates on donations and offerings from devotees, pilgrims, and supporters. The website features a dedicated donations page for supporters to contribute to the society's activities and mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Maha Bodhi Society of India operates Buddhist temples and viharas at sacred pilgrimage sites across India and Nepal, providing daily religious services including worship, Pali Sutra chanting, and meditation. Beyond religious services, it runs free educational institutions (Maha Bodhi Vidyapeeth serving ~450 students), a free homeopathic dispensary, pilgrim accommodation, ambulance services, and monastic training programs. The Society is funded primarily through donations and offerings from devotees and supporters.

Product overview

The Maha Bodhi Society of India is a Buddhist religious and cultural organization (not a technology company) offering a portfolio of religious, educational, and community services. The organization's core offerings include Buddhist temples/viharas across multiple locations (Kolkata, Buddha Gaya, Sarnath, Lucknow, Orissa, New Delhi, Lumbini), educational institutions (free schools, colleges), healthcare (homeopathic dispensaries), and community services (ambulance, pilgrimage accommodation). Services include daily Buddhist worship, meditation, Pali Sutra chanting, free education for underprivileged children, medical assistance, and monastic training. The Society also operates photo and video galleries showcasing Buddhist heritage sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sri Dharmarajika Chetiya Vihara (Kolkata Headquarters) The main headquarters temple of the Maha Bodhi Society of India in Kolkata, featuring the Sri Dharmarajika Vihara established in 1920. Offers daily morning and evening Buddhist worship services including Buddha Puja, Pali Sutra Chanting, and Meditation. Located at 4A, Bankim Chatterjee Street, Kolkata 700073.
• Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Vihara (Buddhagaya Centre) The Society's first center at Buddha Gaya, established by Anagarika Dharmapala. Features Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Temple with daily worship services (5:00 AM to 8:00 PM) including Buddha Puja, Pali Sutra Chanting, and Meditation. Located at P.O. Bodhgaya, Dist. Gaya 824231, Bihar.
• Mulagandha Kuti Vihara (Sarnath Centre) The last monument work of Anagarika Dharmapala at Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Open from February to November (4:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 9:00 PM) with daily Buddhist services. Located at Varanasi 221007, U.P.
• Maha Bodhi Vidyapeeth (Free School for Children) A free school dedicated to providing education to needy and less fortunate children of the locality. Has approximately 450 students and continues to grow. Operated at the Buddhagaya Centre.
• Sri Jinaratana Memorial Free Homeopathy Dispensary Free homeopathic medical dispensary serving local and needy people with free medicines and treatment. Founded by Lt. Ven. Bulath Singhala Pannarama Thero, maintained by dedicated doctors and staff.
• Pilgrims Guest House A pilgrims guest house with all facilities for visitors to the Buddhist holy sites, including a small shrine room and canteen.
• Ambulance Service Ambulance service started in 1997, serving the community by transporting sick people to hospitals at minimum cost. One of the first responders during natural calamities.
• Maha Bodhi Inter College and Maha Bodhi Girl's College Educational institutions operated by the Sarnath Centre providing academic education alongside Buddhist teachings.
• Meditation Hall A dedicated meditation hall at the Buddhagaya Centre for pilgrims and visitors to practice meditation.
• Monastic Training Centre for Novices A training center at the Buddhagaya Centre for novice monks seeking monastic education.
• Free Educational Sponsorship for Handicapped Children Free sponsorship program at the Buddhagaya Centre for deserving physically handicapped children candidates.
• Maha Bodhi Private School Private educational institution operated by the Sarnath Centre.
• Book Shop A book shop at the Buddhagaya Centre offering Dhamma books for pilgrims and visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Operates 8 centers across India and Nepal serving Buddhist communities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered historical support, major benefactor and historical foundation.

• Lord Willingdon (Viceroy of India)historical supportOthers · 1 January 1931The Viceroy and Governor General of India presented the Bone Relics of the Buddha to the society during the opening ceremony of Mulagandhakuti Vihara at Sarnath in 1931.
• Mrs. Mary T. Fostermajor benefactorOthers · 1 January 1893American benefactor who met Anagarika Dharmapala during his return voyage from the 1893 World Parliament of Religions. Her generous donations enabled the establishment of temples, monasteries, schools, and numerous institutions in India and Sri Lanka.
• Theosophical Society (Col. H.S. Olcott and Madam Blavatsky)historical foundationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1884Anagarika Dharmapala joined the Theosophical Society's mission in 1884 after Col. H.S. Olcott established the Buddhist Theosophical Society in Sri Lanka. This early association provided foundational support for Dharmapala's later establishment of the Maha Bodhi Society.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth): Sacred Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka housing a tooth relic of the Buddha. Comparable to MBSI's relic-housing viharas (Dharmarajika, Mulagandhakuti, Sanchi) as a major Theravada pilgrimage and relic-custody site, though with far larger tourist volumes.

Direct peers

• Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee: Committee managing the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, the single most important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Comparable to MBSI's Buddhagaya Centre (Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Vihara) as the principal non-government custodian of Buddhist worship infrastructure at Bodh Gaya.
• The Maha Bodhi Society of Bangalore: Sister society in Bangalore carrying the Maha Bodhi name. Directly comparable as a regional Indian Buddhist society maintaining temples, conducting religious programs, and serving local Buddhist communities - parallel model in a different geography.
• Buddhist Publication Society: Sri Lanka-based publisher of Buddhist texts and the Bodhi Leaves series since 1958. Directly comparable to MBSI's The Maha Bodhi journal in mission (Buddhist publishing), audience (English-reading Theravada Buddhists), and nonprofit funding model.
• International Buddhist Confederation: India-based international Buddhist umbrella organization founded under government support. Directly comparable as a national Buddhist society promoting Buddhism in India, coordinating with multiple Buddhist countries, and engaging in heritage and pilgrimage activities similar to MBSI.
• World Fellowship of Buddhists: International Buddhist organization with similar global propagation, conference, and Dharma dissemination mission. Comparable to MBSI as a transnational body serving Buddhist communities worldwide through events, publications, and site stewardship.
• Lumbini Development Trust: Statutory body under the Government of Nepal managing the Lumbini UNESCO World Heritage site, including MBSI's Maha Maya Vishwa Shanti Buddha Vihara. Directly comparable as steward of a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site with international monastic community.

Others

• Foundation for Buddhist Studies (Dhammadharini): California-based nonprofit supporting Bhikkhuni Sangha and Buddhist education. Adjacent peer to MBSI's monastic training program and educational mission, though operating in a different geography with a focus on women's monasticism.

Emerging players

• Deer Park Institute: India-based Buddhist study and retreat center near Bir, Himachal Pradesh. Comparable to MBSI in offering Buddhist education, meditation retreats, and monastic teaching - but focused on a single modern site rather than historic pilgrimage shrines.
• Tibetan Buddhist Monastic Centers (e.g., Drepung Loseling): Network of Tibetan Buddhist monastic universities and centers globally. Comparable as international Buddhist teaching and meditation institutions competing for the same global donor and practitioner pool as MBSI.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mahabodhisocietyofindia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maha-bodhi-society-of-india

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Maha Bodhi Society of India