Lumbini, 9th August 2019: Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister and Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) Honorable Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai visited Buddhist sites of Greater Lumbini Area on Thursday which are managed by the Trust. The minister was accompanied by Tourism Secretary Mr. Mohan Krishna Sapkota, Act. Director General of Department of Archaeology Damodar Gautam and high level officials. The Minister Bhattarai inspected the construction work of Gautam Buddha International Airport after arriving Bhairahawa from the regular flight from Kathmandu. Minister Bhattarai and his delegates then toured to the four important places of the Greater Lumbini Area Ramagrama, Devadaha, Tilaurakot and Lumbini.

Visiting Ramagrama, Hon. Bhattarai expressed his commitment to implement a masterplan developed by Lumbini Development Trust for systematic development of the Ramagrama, the single site with original relic of the Buddha. With the implementation of the Ramagrama Masterplan the historical, religious and Heritage importance of Ramagrama can be preserved and it can be developed as an international tourist place for the entire world, he opined.

Hon. Bhattrai also visited Bhawanipur of Rupandehi which is believed to be the maternal home of Siddhartha Gautam. Hon. Minister also observed the newly built administrative building of LDT at Bhawanipur.

Hon. Minister Bhattarai then visited Tilaurakot, the capital city of ancient Sakya kingdom in Kapilavastu. The minister and his delegates were briefed about the historical and archaeological importance of this palace. Hon. Bhattarai expressed his commitments towards further development of Tilaurakot and other important archaeological sites of Kapilavastu district.

In the evening Hon. Bhattarai visited Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini and participated in tree plantation program at the birthplace of Lord Buddha. He also observed the construction of International Buddhist Conference Center in Lumbini.

Hon. Bhattarai also chaired in the board meeting of Lumbini Development Trust in Lumbini. The minister and his delegates were welcomed and briefed by the LDT staff and officials and local people at visited sites.