Lumbini International Peace Festival Organized SuccessfullyMonday, April 8th, 2024

The 1^st Lumbini International Peace Festival was organized successfully April 5-6 with an aim to promote Lumbini as the “center of world peace and cultural tourism”.

The Festival concluded with the Lumbini Peace Concert that called out for “world peace and harmony” from the Birthplace of the Buddha and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, on the evening of April 6. The same morning was the Lumbini International Peace Marathon commemorating the “International Day of Peace and Development through Sport”, and had keen participation from local, national as well as international athletes.

Earlier on April 5, the Festival hosted the Lumbini International Meditation Day when a plea was made to the United Nations to set an “International Meditation Day” in reference to promotion of Lumbini. Hon’ble Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha was chief guest at the Meditation Day program. He highlighted the importance of meditation in reaching highest potential of oneself, and appreciated the effort of the organizers for choosing Lumbini in Nepal for the series of peace programs.

The program also included a short discourse on the techniques by Acharya Gopal Pokharel, followed by 10-minute session of “ana paana meditation”. Members of the Sangha including monks and nuns of the LDT chanted sacred mantras and sutras for “world peace”. Almost five hundred participants including officials, organizers, delegates, athletes, monks, nuns, students, media and general public, were at the meditation program.

A day later, the Lumbini International Peace Marathon was held with keen participation from local, regional, national and international level and included athletes from China, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In addition to marathon and running activities, ancient sports of archery and wrestling believed to have been in practice even in the Shakya kingdom during the Buddha era, were demonstrated during the program. A 3 K walkathon was also open for general public.

Mr. Tirtha Pun from Baglung won the first prize for the Full Marathon (M) of 42.19 km completing it in 2 hrs 20 min 49 sec. Ms. Santoshi Shreshta won the Half Marathon (F) of 21 km completing it in 1 hr 18 min 45 sec. Mr. Nageshwar Ayer and Srijana Pandey 5K Open (M+F) won the first place in the respective categories, while Mr. Umesh Barai and Ms. Aruna Chaudhary 5K School (B+G) won the first place in the respective categories. Almost 20 lakh was distributed as prize money.

The Lumbini Peace Concert the same evening was joined by world-renowned Nepali singer and philanthropist Ani Choying Drolma who performed her most-loved songs including Buddhist hymns and chants. Famous musician Mr. Manose Singh who is the first Grammy nominee from Nepal played on the flute with Mr. Gopal Rasaili on guitar, Mr. Sanjay Shrestha on percussion, and Mr. Prince Nepali on Sarangi. Local artists performed “Lumbini Biraha” led by Mr. Radheshyam Pal and “Dheluwa” led by Mr. Sunil Tharu, and represented the rich culture and heritage of Nepal’s Terai.

Famous Chinese artists had also flown in to Bhairahawa a day earlier especially for the Peace Concert. Popular folk singer Ms. Wulan Tuya performed her numbers “High on the Grasslands Looking at Beijing” and “Horse Harnessing”. Similarly, Ms. Lu Ning performed “Flowing Water” on “Guqin”, one of the oldest-known musical instruments with history of 3,000.

The Peace Concert was held at the Lumbini Square Theatre and had participation of more than 1,000 people including officials, organizers, delegates, athletes, artists, students, young professionals, media and the tourism fraternity.

His Excellency the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China was present at all the three programs of the event. The Ambassador said the event had played an important role in further development of the friendship and bond between Chinese and Nepali people in addition to putting Lumbini on the global map as the center for world peace and culture. He appreciated the efforts of all to make the event successful.

Former Minister and President of Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha stressed on the potential of Lumbini as a unique cultural heritage with very high potential for bringing transformational changes to Nepal and the world. He said the 2-day event would be instrumental in inspiring similar programs in future.

Member Secretary of Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) Mr. Sanu Raja Shakya, appreciated the partnership for the development and promotion of Lumbini, and said LDT would wholeheartedly be part of such projects in the near future too.

Ms. Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Officiating CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), said the Festival had played an important role in positioning Nepal as a top “wellness and spiritual destination” by roping in the activities of body, mind and soul, through sports, meditation and music in the already popular spiritual and pilgrimage destination of Lumbini. Similarly, Mr. Mani Raj Lamichhane, Director of NTB, said the event had pioneered a unique and balanced mix of programs to connect Lumbini to health and healing.

Mr. Jay Prakash Bhattarai, Member Secretary of the Province Sports Council of Lumbini, said the event had helped in promoting Lumbini and the province as a hub for sports and tourism activities.

Former Minister and NOC President Mr. Shrestha, Member Secretary of LDT Mr. Shakya, NTB Director Mr. Lamichhane, and Lumbini Province Sports Council Member Secretary Mr. Bhattarai, were present at all the programs of the event.

NTB in coordination with LDT, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal, NOC, and Province Sports Council Lumbini, organized the event. The event had Nepal Overseas Chinese Association (NOCA), Zhong Hua Monastery in Lumbini, and Lumbini Hotel Association as co-organizers, and was supported by Lumbini Buddhist University. The event was supported by GreenRoad and Changan Automobile.

The 1^st Lumbini International Peace Festival was organized successfully April 5-6 with an aim to promote Lumbini as the “center of world peace and cultural tourism”.

The Festival concluded with the Lumbini Peace Concert that called out for “world peace and harmony” from the Birthplace of the Buddha and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, on the evening of April 6. The same morning was the Lumbini International Peace Marathon commemorating the “International Day of Peace and Development through Sport”, and had keen participation from local, national as well as international athletes.

Earlier on April 5, the Festival hosted the Lumbini International Meditation Day when a plea was made to the United Nations to set an “International Meditation Day” in reference to promotion of Lumbini. Hon’ble Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha was chief guest at the Meditation Day program. He highlighted the importance of meditation in reaching highest potential of oneself, and appreciated the effort of the organizers for choosing Lumbini in Nepal for the series of peace programs.

The program also included a short discourse on the techniques by Acharya Gopal Pokharel, followed by 10-minute session of “ana paana meditation”. Members of the Sangha including monks and nuns of the LDT chanted sacred mantras and sutras for “world peace”. Almost five hundred participants including officials, organizers, delegates, athletes, monks, nuns, students, media and general public, were at the meditation program.

A day later, the Lumbini International Peace Marathon was held with keen participation from local, regional, national and international level and included athletes from China, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In addition to marathon and running activities, ancient sports of archery and wrestling believed to have been in practice even in the Shakya kingdom during the Buddha era, were demonstrated during the program. A 3 K walkathon was also open for general public.

Mr. Tirtha Pun from Baglung won the first prize for the Full Marathon (M) of 42.19 km completing it in 2 hrs 20 min 49 sec. Ms. Santoshi Shreshta won the Half Marathon (F) of 21 km completing it in 1 hr 18 min 45 sec. Mr. Nageshwar Ayer and Srijana Pandey 5K Open (M+F) won the first place in the respective categories, while Mr. Umesh Barai and Ms. Aruna Chaudhary 5K School (B+G) won the first place in the respective categories. Almost 20 lakh was distributed as prize money.

The Lumbini Peace Concert the same evening was joined by world-renowned Nepali singer and philanthropist Ani Choying Drolma who performed her most-loved songs including Buddhist hymns and chants. Famous musician Mr. Manose Singh who is the first Grammy nominee from Nepal played on the flute with Mr. Gopal Rasaili on guitar, Mr. Sanjay Shrestha on percussion, and Mr. Prince Nepali on Sarangi. Local artists performed “Lumbini Biraha” led by Mr. Radheshyam Pal and “Dheluwa” led by Mr. Sunil Tharu, and represented the rich culture and heritage of Nepal’s Terai.

Famous Chinese artists had also flown in to Bhairahawa a day earlier especially for the Peace Concert. Popular folk singer Ms. Wulan Tuya performed her numbers “High on the Grasslands Looking at Beijing” and “Horse Harnessing”. Similarly, Ms. Lu Ning performed “Flowing Water” on “Guqin”, one of the oldest-known musical instruments with history of 3,000.

The Peace Concert was held at the Lumbini Square Theatre and had participation of more than 1,000 people including officials, organizers, delegates, athletes, artists, students, young professionals, media and the tourism fraternity.

His Excellency the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China was present at all the three programs of the event. The Ambassador said the event had played an important role in further development of the friendship and bond between Chinese and Nepali people in addition to putting Lumbini on the global map as the center for world peace and culture. He appreciated the efforts of all to make the event successful.

Former Minister and President of Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha stressed on the potential of Lumbini as a unique cultural heritage with very high potential for bringing transformational changes to Nepal and the world. He said the 2-day event would be instrumental in inspiring similar programs in future.

Member Secretary of Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) Mr. Sanu Raja Shakya, appreciated the partnership for the development and promotion of Lumbini, and said LDT would wholeheartedly be part of such projects in the near future too.

Ms. Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Officiating CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), said the Festival had played an important role in positioning Nepal as a top “wellness and spiritual destination” by roping in the activities of body, mind and soul, through sports, meditation and music in the already popular spiritual and pilgrimage destination of Lumbini. Similarly, Mr. Mani Raj Lamichhane, Director of NTB, said the event had pioneered a unique and balanced mix of programs to connect Lumbini to health and healing.

Mr. Jay Prakash Bhattarai, Member Secretary of the Province Sports Council of Lumbini, said the event had helped in promoting Lumbini and the province as a hub for sports and tourism activities.

Former Minister and NOC President Mr. Shrestha, Member Secretary of LDT Mr. Shakya, NTB Director Mr. Lamichhane, and Lumbini Province Sports Council Member Secretary Mr. Bhattarai, were present at all the programs of the event.

NTB in coordination with LDT, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal, NOC, and Province Sports Council Lumbini, organized the event. The event had Nepal Overseas Chinese Association (NOCA), Zhong Hua Monastery in Lumbini, and Lumbini Hotel Association as co-organizers, and was supported by Lumbini Buddhist University. The event was supported by GreenRoad and Changan Automobile.

Please follow and like us: