Lumbini: State Minister for Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation honorable Indra Bahadur Baniya visited Lumbini on March 2, 2017. The Minister was accompanied by Planning Chief Damodar Gautam and Ram Senior Archaeologist Bahadur Kunwar of Department of Archaeology, Nepal and other associates.  The delegates were welcomed by Spiritual Advisor Ven. Maitri, Vice Chairman Ven. Nigrodha (Siddhartha Maharjan), Treasurer Surendra Muni Sakya, Project Chief Iman Singh Muktan, Board Members Rajesh Gyawali, Amarika Kohar and Durga Upadhyay and staff of Lumbini Development Trust (LDT).

The minister paid homage to the birthplace of the Buddha where Vice Chair Ven. Nigrodha chanted Buddhist prayers for the wellbeing of the delegates and all sentient beings. Information Chief Hari D. Rai briefed about the historicity and spirituality of Lumbini as a world cultural heritage property.   The minister instructed the LDT officials for speedy development activities, prompt security and sanitation initiatives in all Buddhist sites under the jurisdiction of the LDT. The minister also had inspected other sites associated to the life of Sakyamuni Buddha at Kapilavastu and Devadaha the previous day before visiting to Lumbini.