Patna, Aug 8 - Hundreds of Buddhist monks in Bihar have been performing special prayers and rituals at the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya to appease the rain god and end the ongoing dry spell in the state.

'We began special puja from Thursday at the Mahabodhi temple of Bodh Gaya to seek blessings of god for rains. Our puja will continue till Aug 12,' in-charge of Bodh Gaya centre of Mahabodhi Society of India P. Sivali Thera told IANS.

Bodh Gaya is considered the birthplace of Buddhism. Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment about 2,550 years ago at this place.

Thera said the Buddhist monks have been performing special puja for rain under the holy Bodhi tree at the temple. The monks will perform prayers for seven days under the tree.

He said monks from dozens of monasteries at Bodh Gaya and several other monks from different countries have been participating in the prayers.

Earlier, Muslims and Hindu priests performed prayers for rain at several places across the state.

Lack of rain has been a concern for millions of farmers in Bihar as transplanting of paddy seedlings has been badly hit.