PM Modi in Nepal; lays foundation stone of Buddhist cultural centre in Lumbini

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on Monday laid the foundation stone of a Centre of Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini. The prime minister has arrived in Nepal as part of the 2566th Buddha Jayanti celebrations. It is Modi’s first visit to Nepal since the border dispute in 2020.

Modi, who arrived in Lumbini in a special helicopter, was warmly received by the Nepal Prime Minister, his spouse Arzu Deuba and several Ministers from the government of Nepal. This is the leader’s fifth visit to Nepal after becoming prime minister in 2014.

Modi started his visit by offering prayers at the Maya Devi Temple. He was accompanied by Deuba and his spouse. Thereafter, they watered the Bodhi tree sapling from Bodh Gaya which was gifted by Modi to Lumbini in 2014 and also signed the temple's visitor's book. The picture of the same has been shared on Twitter by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The central government is building a Buddhist centre in Lumbini at a cost of Rs 100 crore for promoting Buddhist philosophy. The construction is expected to be completed in three years. Many foreign countries including the US, China, Canada, France, Germany and Thailand, have already constructed their Buddhist centres in Lumbini.