3rd INDIA–NEPAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL BEGINS IN LUMBINI

The 3rd edition of the India–Nepal Cultural Festival began on 8 December in Lumbini, Nepal. It is jointly organised by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Lumbini Buddhist University.

Lumbini: A Shared Civilisational Heritage

• Lumbini is a profound symbol of India–Nepal cultural and spiritual ties.
• For India, it is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and part of the sacred Buddhist geography that includes:
  • Bodh Gaya
  • Sarnath
  • Kushinagar

Symposium to Honour Shared Buddhist Heritage

• A special symposium was organised to highlight Buddhist heritage as a pillar of India–Nepal friendship.
• It aims to strengthen people-to-people links and promote the shared values of Metta (loving-kindness), Shanti (peace), Karuna (compassion) and Dharma (righteousness).

Historical Diplomacy: Emperor Ashoka’s Pilgrimage

• Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini in 249 BC, marking one of the earliest examples of cross-border diplomacy.
• His pilgrimage linked all sites associated with Buddha’s relics across ancient India.

UNESCO’s Account of Buddha’s Birthplace

• According to UNESCO, Buddha was born in 623 BC in Lumbini, located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal.
• This is confirmed by the inscription on the Ashoka pillar erected in 249 BC.

Key Structures in the Lumbini Heritage Complex

The archaeological conservation area includes:

• Maya Devi Temple, with brick structures from the 3rd century BC onwards
• Shakya Tank
• Sandstone Ashoka Pillar with Pali inscription in Brahmi script

Ashoka Pillar Inscription Highlights

The inscription records that:

• King Priyadarsin (Ashoka) visited Lumbini in his 20th regnal year and worshipped at the sacred spot.
• Since “the Blessed One was born here,” he ordered the construction of a protective stone wall and stone pillar.
• The village of Lummini was freed from religious taxes and required to pay only one-eighth of the usual land revenue.

Sources: AIR & UNESCO