Himalayan News service

Kathmandu, May 25

As Buddhist community are observing the 2546th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, Federation of Swoyambhu Management and Conservation (FSMC) is decorating the entire Swoyambhu area.

Swoyambhu stupa is one of the famous and highly regarded Buddhist monasteries not only among Nepalis but also to devotees from the around world. It is believed to be over two thousand years old and situated four kilometres west from the downtown of Kathmandu. Devotees form different parts of the country visit the stupa on this very day.

According to Mahendra Ratna Buddhacharya, general secretary of FSMC, the federation is preparing for the day by repairing light system all over the Swoyambhu hill, repainting the stupas. A statue of Buddha is being painted whit gold. Twenty-four voluntary organisations will provide different services like drinking water and ambulance, under the coordination of the Federation.

However Federations members including Bhuddhacharya are being worried regarding the current situation of the nation and unpredictable condition of weather that both can affect the arrival of devotees on the day. Bhuddhacharya said that the federation is getting financial problems because of the reducing number of tourists in Swomyambhu. He further informed that the income source of the federation, entry fee paid by tourists, has been reduced by 80% this year.

Bhudacharya also informed that after the eight years’ long gap, more than 15 ancient statues of Buddha form different Bihars of Kathmandu will be exhibited on the day. Those statues are believed to be 2 to 3 hundred years old.