Lumbini: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation and Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Bhanubhakta Dhakal visited Lumbini on January 13, 2021. The minister was accompanied by Khimlal Bhattarai, Chief Whip of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) in the National Assembly, and other delegates. The minister was welcomed in Lumbini by Vice-Chairman Ven. Metteyya Sakyaputta (Awadesh Tripathi), Treasurer Surendramuni Shakya, Member Secretary Sanuraja Shakya, Board Members Rajesh Gyawali, Sriram Yadav, and Insaf Ali, Project Manager Er. Saroj Bhattarai and officials of Lumbini Development Trust.

Minister Dhakal and his entourage inspected International Buddhist Meditation Hall and Conference Centre that is under construction at Lumbini. He also visited Lumbini International Monastic Zone. Finally, he visited Mayadevi Temple and paid homage to the Buddha. Information and PR Chief Dr. Hari D. Rai and Chief of Archaeology Section Himal Upreti explained the historical, spiritual, and archaeological significance of Lumbini, the World Heritage Property to the dignitaries.   LDT officials explained the present situation and future plan of Lumbini development to the minister. Minister Dhakal and his entourage also visited prominent Buddhist sites of Kapilavastu during this trip.

Minister Dhakal said that Lumbini as the birthplace of the Lord Sakyamuni Buddha and fountain of world peace always spreads the message of peace, tranquility, and harmony to the global community. Nepal has been famed as the birthplace of the Buddha, the apostle of peace, hence, Lumbini is our both pride and identity, he further added. He also assured the journalists about the Government's commitment to complete the Lumbini Master Plan as soon as possible.