KATHMANDU: The Swoyambhu Byabasthapan tatha Samrakshan Mahasamiti has initiated a special Buddha worship and prayer programme on the occasion of the 2561st Buddha Jayanti today.

The Mahasamiti, a body responsible for the management and conservation of the Swoyambhunath area, has been organising this special worship with the cooperation of the Buddhacharya Samaj to mark the Buddha Jayanti every year.

Devotees from Kathmandu and areas in its vicinity have been thronging the worship venue. Swoyambhunath temple and the complex has been cleaned and freshly painted for the occasion.

The visitors are being served with water and rice-pudding for free by different organisations.

The Nakami Society Service Club has organised a blood donation programme on the occasion.

The Mahasamiti has made arrangements for providing free entry to the visitors to the Swoyambhunath heritage site on the occasion of the Buddha Jayanti.

An illumination would also be held tonight.