On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a visit to Lumbini in Nepal today. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Nepal’s Prime Minister, has extended an invitation to the Prime Minister. PM Modi’s visit to Nepal is his sixth since 2014, and his first since his re-election in 2019.
“I look forward to offering prayers at the Mayadevi Temple on the auspicious festival of Buddha Jayanti,” PM Modi stated in his departing statement. I feel humbled to walk in the footsteps of millions of Indians who have visited the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha.
I also hope to see Prime Minister Deuba again after our fruitful conversations during his recent visit to India. We’ll keep building on our mutual understanding to deepen collaboration in a variety of areas, including hydropower, development, and connectivity.”
Maya Devi Temple is an important centre of worship in Lumbini and is widely thought to be the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
Apart from praying at the Mayadevi Temple, the Prime Minister will attend the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage’s ‘Shilanyas’ ritual at the Lumbini Monastic Zone. In addition, he will participate in the Government of Nepal’s Buddha Jayanti ceremonies.
“We have unrivalled ties with Nepal. Our intimate relationship is built on the foundation of civilisational and people-to-people contacts between India and Nepal. “My visit is designed to commemorate and develop these centuries-old ties that have been nurtured and documented throughout our long history of intertwining,” he said.
PM Deuba of Nepal will also host a lunch for PM Modi and his delegation.
