Peace Festival from Friday

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 20:The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is set to organise the Lumbini International Peace Festival from Friday. 

It is orgnising the event in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA). 

"The festival will take place from March 22 to May 11 in Lumbini, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as in surrounding cities," the NTB informed in a statement on Wednesday. 

The festival aims to promote Lumbini as a global centre for peace and spiritual tourism while encouraging cultural, sporting, religious, and people-to-people exchanges between Nepal, China, and other nations.

The festival will feature a meditation session on 23 March in the sacred garden outside the Maya Devi Temple, with the participation of 100 monks and 400 practitioners. 

On March 24, the third Lumbini International Peace Marathon will be held to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

During the festival, various events such as the Lumbini Peace Musical Programme, a photo exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of Zhong Hua Monastery, and a Buddha ordination ceremony will be organised. 

The festival will conclude with a special closing ceremony on Buddha Purnima.

The event will be supported by organisations including the Lumbini Development Trust, the Nepal Olympic Committee, the Yunnan Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association, KGH Group, Vivo, Deepal, and Buddha Air, among other local and international partners.

Deepak Joshi, CEO of the NTB, said that the second edition of the Festival represents Nepal’s commitment to promoting peace and cultural exchange. He said, "We invite guests from around the world to experience the spiritual essence of Lumbini and celebrate global harmony."