RUPANDEHI, APRIL 23

On May 16, Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, will be seen abuzz with a host of events celebrating the 2,566th Buddha Jayanti, the day Lord Buddha was born.

Lumbini Development Trust is preparing to celebrate the 2,566th Buddha Jayanti in a grand manner as the celebration was limited to a symbolic presence in two previous years due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Trust will not only organise programmes on the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, on May 16, but there will be three-day celebration, prior and post Buddha Jayanti, said Dhundiraj Bhattarai, treasurer of the Trust. Bhattarai, who is also coordinator of publicity sub-committee, said a special programme would be organised at Devdaha, natal home of Buddha's mother. Another event will be held at Ramgram in Nawalparashi where the Astadhatu , literally meaning eight-metals, is kept.

On May 16, President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will participate in the main event in Lumbini.

A chariot procession will be held at Tilaurakot, the place where Buddha spent 29 years, on May 17, informed the Trust.

On Buddha Jayanti, traditional lamps are lit surrounding Mayadevi Mandir, the spot where queen Mayadevi is believed to have given birth to prince Siddhartha. Special worship will be offered to Lord Buddha where monks and nuns and followers will also meditate forming a commune and pray for world peace.

A version of this article appears in the print on April 24, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.