Culture connect: India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini celebrates shared Buddhist heritage
| 2024-12-10
The 2nd India-Nepal Cultural Festival held in Lumbini on December 8, 2024 aimed to strengthen people-to-people ties.
The festival showcased the enduring historical and spiritual connections between the two nations
Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, hosted the second edition of the India-Nepal Cultural Festival on Sunday (December 8, 2024). The event celebrated the rich cultural heritage shared by India and Nepal, with a particular emphasis on their Buddhist traditions. Organised by the Indian Embassy in Nepal in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust, the festival showcased the enduring historical and spiritual connections between the two nations.
The festival was inaugurated by notable dignitaries, including Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Governor of Lumbini Province; Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Minister for Industry, Tourism, and Transport Management of Lumbini Province; Janmajay Timilsina, Minister for Social Development; Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust; and Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
The event drew a wide array of attendees, including members of civil society, former parliamentarians, senior monks, and local leaders such as the Mayor of Butwal and district officials from Rupandehi.
The highlight of the festival was the cultural program, which included mesmerizing performances by artists from both India and Nepal. A captivating Kathak dance recital on Buddhist themes, led by Shikha Sharma and her eight-member troupe, was supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Complementing this were traditional Nepali dances performed by Swojan Raghubanshi and his group, reflecting the vibrant and diverse traditions of Nepal.
Earlier in the day, an academic seminar titled “Buddhist Cultural Heritage of India and Nepal” was held at Lumbini Buddhist University. Scholars from both nations shared insights into the historical and cultural significance of Buddhist heritage.
Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the four most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Buddhism, holds deep significance for followers of Buddhism worldwide. According to Buddhist scriptures, Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama here in 624 BCE. Siddhartha later attained Enlightenment to become Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
The festival emphasized this shared heritage, underscoring how both India and Nepal have contributed to preserving and promoting Buddhist culture.
Speaking at the inauguration, Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar highlighted the importance of cultural festivals in strengthening people-to-people connections. "Lumbini is not just a spiritual site but a bridge that connects the hearts of people from India and Nepal," he remarked. Prachanda Bikram Neupane echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the festival's role in promoting tourism and cultural exchange.
Deputy Chief of Mission Prasanna Shrivastava reaffirmed India's commitment to enhancing cultural ties, stating, "Events like these celebrate the deep-rooted connections between our nations and highlight the shared values that unite us."
The India-Nepal Cultural Festival also served as a platform to explore opportunities for collaboration in tourism and cultural preservation. By bringing together artists, scholars, and leaders, the event fostered dialogue on leveraging the shared Buddhist heritage to boost tourism and cultural awareness in the region.
In addition to showcasing cultural performances, the festival highlighted the potential of Lumbini as a global Buddhist pilgrimage destination. Efforts to promote the site internationally could further strengthen its significance in the global Buddhist community.
The second India-Nepal Cultural Festival is part of a broader effort to deepen bilateral ties between the two nations. Events like these underscore the shared values of harmony and compassion, which form the foundation of India-Nepal relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previous visits to Lumbini, including his participation in the 2566th Buddha Jayanti celebrations, have further reinforced the significance of this sacred site in fostering bilateral ties.
The India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini not only celebrated the shared heritage of the two nations but also highlighted the enduring relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings in promoting peace and unity. As the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini stands as a testament to the profound cultural and spiritual connections between India and Nepal.
With its emphasis on cultural exchange and shared traditions, the festival served as a reminder of the rich heritage that binds the two nations, paving the way for deeper collaboration and mutual respect in the years to come.
The festival was inaugurated by notable dignitaries, including Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Governor of Lumbini Province; Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Minister for Industry, Tourism, and Transport Management of Lumbini Province; Janmajay Timilsina, Minister for Social Development; Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust; and Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
The event drew a wide array of attendees, including members of civil society, former parliamentarians, senior monks, and local leaders such as the Mayor of Butwal and district officials from Rupandehi.
The highlight of the festival was the cultural program, which included mesmerizing performances by artists from both India and Nepal. A captivating Kathak dance recital on Buddhist themes, led by Shikha Sharma and her eight-member troupe, was supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Complementing this were traditional Nepali dances performed by Swojan Raghubanshi and his group, reflecting the vibrant and diverse traditions of Nepal.
Earlier in the day, an academic seminar titled “Buddhist Cultural Heritage of India and Nepal” was held at Lumbini Buddhist University. Scholars from both nations shared insights into the historical and cultural significance of Buddhist heritage.
Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the four most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Buddhism, holds deep significance for followers of Buddhism worldwide. According to Buddhist scriptures, Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama here in 624 BCE. Siddhartha later attained Enlightenment to become Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
The festival emphasized this shared heritage, underscoring how both India and Nepal have contributed to preserving and promoting Buddhist culture.
Speaking at the inauguration, Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar highlighted the importance of cultural festivals in strengthening people-to-people connections. "Lumbini is not just a spiritual site but a bridge that connects the hearts of people from India and Nepal," he remarked. Prachanda Bikram Neupane echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the festival's role in promoting tourism and cultural exchange.
Deputy Chief of Mission Prasanna Shrivastava reaffirmed India's commitment to enhancing cultural ties, stating, "Events like these celebrate the deep-rooted connections between our nations and highlight the shared values that unite us."
The India-Nepal Cultural Festival also served as a platform to explore opportunities for collaboration in tourism and cultural preservation. By bringing together artists, scholars, and leaders, the event fostered dialogue on leveraging the shared Buddhist heritage to boost tourism and cultural awareness in the region.
In addition to showcasing cultural performances, the festival highlighted the potential of Lumbini as a global Buddhist pilgrimage destination. Efforts to promote the site internationally could further strengthen its significance in the global Buddhist community.
The second India-Nepal Cultural Festival is part of a broader effort to deepen bilateral ties between the two nations. Events like these underscore the shared values of harmony and compassion, which form the foundation of India-Nepal relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previous visits to Lumbini, including his participation in the 2566th Buddha Jayanti celebrations, have further reinforced the significance of this sacred site in fostering bilateral ties.
The India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini not only celebrated the shared heritage of the two nations but also highlighted the enduring relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings in promoting peace and unity. As the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini stands as a testament to the profound cultural and spiritual connections between India and Nepal.
With its emphasis on cultural exchange and shared traditions, the festival served as a reminder of the rich heritage that binds the two nations, paving the way for deeper collaboration and mutual respect in the years to come.
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