The Embassy of India in Nepal, in collaboration with Lumbini Development Trust and Lumbini Buddhist University, organised the inaugural India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini. “The festival showcased the rich cultural heritage and traditions of India and Nepal, with a focus on Buddhism. The festival featured a Sand Mandala Drawing Art Exhibition prepared by monk artists from Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, India, a photo exhibition based on the photographs of renowned photographer Benoy Behl, a street food festival featuring Indian and Nepali cuisines, and a cultural programme,” a release from the Indian Embassy stated.
The festival was jointly inaugurated on Saturday, December 9, by Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal Sudan Kirati, and Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary.
The inauguration ceremony also included the opening of a photo exhibition, which featured a collection of stunning photographs of Buddhist heritage sites. The exhibition provided a comprehensive perspective of the monuments and art heritage of Buddhism, from the earliest times to the present day.
Later, Ambassador Srivastava, Minister Kirati, and Chief Minister Chaudhary jointly inaugurated the sand mandala drawing art exhibition. Sand mandala drawing is a traditional Buddhist art form that involves creating intricate designs using coloured sand.
The exhibition showcased the skill and craftsmanship of the monk artists from Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, India.
The evening of December 8 was marked by a vibrant cultural programme featuring performances by artists from India and Nepal.
The audience was enthralled by the Cham Dance performed by artists from Thiksey Monastery, Leh, India; Bharatnatyam put together by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy; Tharu Dance by local artists from Lumbini; and Sitar recital by the Sukarma Band of Nepal.
The cultural programme was followed by the street food festival at the Lumbini World Peace and Harmony Visitor Centre. The festival showcased a rich variety of Indian and Nepali cuisine, including Pakora, Tharu-style Taruwa, Sabudana Wada, Newari-style lentils, Bara, Jalebi, and many more delicacies.
As a part of this festival, an academic seminar titled “Exploring the Impact of Buddhist Teachings on Community Development and Global Well-Being” was also organised at Lumbini Buddhist University on the morning of December 8, 2023.
Eminent Buddhist scholars from India and Nepal participated in the seminar and shared their insights on the relevance of Buddhist teachings in the modern world. It was decided that such a festival will now be organised annually in Lumbini and bring together people from India and Nepal to celebrate shared heritage, traditions, and culture.
The festival also highlighted the strong cultural and historical ties between the two countries.
The sand mandala art exhibition and the photo exhibition will continue to be open to visitors on the second day of the festival, December 9, 2023.
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