On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nepal on Monday at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart, Sher Bahadur Deuba. On his arrival in Lumbini, he was greeted by Deuba, and the two leaders exchanged prayers at Lumbini’s Mahamayadevi Temple.
I’ve arrived in Nepal: PM Modi
On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, I am delighted to be among Nepal’s wonderful people. Following his arrival in Nepal, PM Modi tweeted, “Looking forward to the Lumbini programs.”Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha, later known as Gautam Buddha, has a special place in Buddhist history.
Everything you need to know about the Buddhist shrine
1.) In 1997, Unesco designated Lumbini as a World Heritage Site in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. The Buddhist pilgrimage center is centered on the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha.
2.) Between 2010 and 2013, the Department of Archaeology, Lumbini Development Trust, and Durham University (UK) conducted archaeological excavations that uncovered a timber shrine dating from the 6th century BC.
3.) Lumbini, one of Buddhism’s holiest sites, contains important evidence about the pilgrimage in the form of viharas, stupas, and numerous layers of brick structures dating back to the third century BC.
4.) According to Unesco, Ashoka, the Maurya Dynasty’s emperor, was among the pilgrims, and one of his commemorative pillars was erected at the site.
5.) Lumbini Development Trust rebuilt the Maya Devi Temple, which was rediscovered in 1896 by General Khadga Shamsher and Dr. Anton Fuhrer.
