Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a day-long visit to Nepal, addressed an event in Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima today. "India and Nepal's ever-strengthening friendship, in the kind of global conditions that are being created today, our closeness will serve the benefit of the entire humanity," he said. PM Modi also held bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba today. As Prime Minister, this is his fifth visit to Nepal and the first to Lumbini.
Here are the highlights on PM Modi's Nepal visit:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday offered prayers at the sacred Maya Devi temple here in Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Purnima and said he felt blessed, hoping that Lord Buddha would bless all and make the planet peaceful and prosperous.
"Beginning the Nepal visit with prayers at the sacred Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted.
"There is also Buddha enlightenment, and there is also Buddha research. There are Buddha thoughts, and there are Buddha sacraments too Buddha was born as Siddhartha in Lumbini on the day of Vaishakh Purnima. On this day in Bodh Gaya, he attained enlightenment and became Lord Buddha. And on this day, his Mahaparinirvana took place in Kushinagar On the same date, on the same Vaishakh Purnima, these stages of the life journey of Lord Buddha were not mere coincidences. It also contains the philosophical message of Buddhahood, in which life, knowledge and nirvana are all three together," said PM Modi.
"The devotion to Lord Buddha binds us together, makes us members of one family," said PM Modi.
"India and Nepal's ever-strengthening friendship, in the kind of global conditions that are being created today, our closeness will serve the benefit of the entire humanity," said PM Modi.
"The energy of the place where Lord Buddha was born, gives a different feeling. I was happy to see that the Mahabodhi sapling I had gifted in 2014 for this place, is now growing into a tree," said PM Narendra Modi at Buddha Jayanti event in Lumbini.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached Nepal for a four-day visit. This is his first visit to the country since ties were affected due to a border dispute in 2020.
#WATCH | Post foundation laying of Centre for Buddhist culture & heritage belonging to International Buddhist Confederation, PM Modi along with Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba participates in slogan chanting in Lumbini, Nepal pic.twitter.com/x1WcwIRLYa
- ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2022
#WATCH | PM Modi autographs a sketch depicting him and Lord Buddha, as he receives a warm welcome by the Indian community in Lumbini, Nepal pic.twitter.com/UgDYGjjU1O
- ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba performed the shilanyaas ceremony for construction of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone in Nepal's Lumbini. The Centre will be constructed by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi. After the shilanyaas ceremony, the two Prime Ministers unveiled a model of the Centre.
Lumbini, Nepal | PM Modi along with Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba lays foundation stone for the construction of a centre for Buddhist culture & heritage, in a plot belonging to the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Delhi within the Lumbini Monastic Zone pic.twitter.com/BORvjJdcMk
- ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2022
Lumbini, Nepal | PM Modi & Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba participate in the foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of a centre for Buddhist culture & heritage, in a plot belonging to the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Delhi within the Lumbini Monastic Zone pic.twitter.com/8FX7IF8MVi
- ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba today watered the Bodhi tree sapling from Bodh Gaya which was gifted by the former to Lumbini in 2014. They also signed the temple's visitors' book. The two Prime Ministers also lit lamps near the Ashoka Pillar located adjacent to the temple. The pillar, which was erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, bears the first epigraphic evidence of Lumbini being the birthplace of Lord Buddha. They also paid their respects at the Marker Stone inside the Maya Devi temple premises, which pinpoints the exact birth spot of Lord Buddha. They attended the pooja conducted as per Buddhist rituals.
- On arrival, PM Modi visited Maya Devi Temple and attended a special prayer. He was accompanied by Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba.
- He will perform Bhoomi Poojan and lay the foundation stone of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage, being built at the initiative of the International Buddhist Confederation, New Delhi.
- A bilateral meeting between the two prime minister is scheduled to undertake a comprehensive review of recent agreements. Some MoUs are expected to be exchanged between the two countries thereafter.
- PM Deuba will host a lunch in the honour of PM Modi and his delegation.
- PM Modi will attend the 2,566th Buddha Jayanti celebrations and address a large gathering of people from Nepal and India, including Buddhist scholars and monks.
I would like to thank PM @SherBDeuba for the warm welcome in Lumbini. pic.twitter.com/9rkmi2297o
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2022
#InPics | Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, #Nepal on the occasion of #BuddhaPurnima
- NDTV (@ndtv) May 16, 2022
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/GXzbJ2K46h
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Lumbini, Nepal this morning on an official visit, coinciding with the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. On his arrival at Lumbini, PM Modi was warmly received by his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba. As Prime Minister, this is PM Modi's fifth visit to Nepal and first to Lumbini.
