Sineenatha Bilasakalyani, a member of the Thai royal family and the consort of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has paid a visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, where she offered prayers and worship. The Thai King has conferred upon her the title of “Royal Noble Consort” (a highly distinguished member of the royal family) and has also honored her with the title of Chao Khun Phra, which is bestowed upon monks and nuns.

Arriving in Lumbini via overland travel from India for a two-day visit, Sineenatha Bilasakalyani was formally welcomed by officials and staff of the Lumbini Development Trust. The welcoming delegation included Member Secretary Deepak Shrestha, Project Chief Smita Bhatta, Information Chief Dr. Hari D. Rai, Security Chief Khagendra Kafle, Botany Chief Kamalesh Verma, Account Officer Bhim Basnet, Information Assistant Dilip Rai, and member Bikash Lama, among others.

While participating in a special religious program organized by the Royal Thai Monastery in Lumbini, she offered prayers at the Maya Devi Temple on Friday morning. She then circumambulated the historic Puskarini Pond located to the south of the temple and recited protective Buddhist chants for about half an hour, wishing for world peace, harmony, and compassion. The religious rites were conducted by Phra Phrom Vajirabodhivong, the Thai ecclesiastical envoy to India and Nepal.

Following this, Sineenatha Bilasakalyani offered prayers at the Asoka Pillar situated within the Maya Devi Temple complex. She also interacted with monks and nuns from various countries and spent nearly two hours in the temple area engaged in meditation and prayer.

At the conclusion of the program, Member Secretary Deepak Shrestha presented a token of love on behalf of the Lumbini Development Trust to Mrs. Sineenatha Bilasakalyani.

After Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visited Lumbini eight years ago, the number of Thai tourists visiting the site has gradually increased. Sineenatha Bilasakalyani’s visit marks the fourth visit to Lumbini by members of the Thai royal family.

Before arriving in Lumbini, she had offered prayers at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, the four Buddhist sacred pilgrimage sites Leading a 70-member delegation, she arrived in India by chartered aircraft on January 21. After completing her visit to Lumbini, she departed for Bangkok on Friday aboard a Thai Air Force chartered Boeing 737 aircraft.