PM Modi visits Nepal, offers prayers at Maya Devi temple in Lumbini

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Nepal on a day-long visit to mark Buddha Purnima. He offered prayers at the sacred Maya Devi temple in Lumbini and said that he hoped Lord Buddha would bless all and make the planet peaceful and prosperous. Here are pictures from his visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maya Devi Temple during his one-day visit to Lumbini. Credit: Twitter/@narendramodi

PM Modi was accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba. Credit: Twitter/@narendramodi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen offering prayers at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini. Credit: Twitter/@narendramodi

The two Prime Ministers also lit lamps near the Ashoka Pillar located adjacent to the temple. The pillar, which was erected by emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, bears the first epigraphic evidence of Lumbini being the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Credit: Twitter/@narendramodi

Thereafter, the two leaders watered the Bodhi tree sapling from Bodh Gaya which was gifted by Modi to Lumbini in 2014 and also signed the temple's visitor’s book. Credit: PMO

PM Modi also participated in the stone laying ceremony for the construction of a Centre of Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini. Credit: Twitter/@SherBDeuba

It is the prime minister's fifth visit to Nepal since 2014. During the visit, he delivered an address at the Buddha Jayanti celebrations organised by the Lumbini Development Trust. Credit: Twitter/@SherBDeuba

Earlier in the day, upon his arrival at Lumbini, Prime Minister Modi was warmly received by Deuba, his spouse Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and several Ministers from the Government of Nepal. Credit: Twitter/@narendramodi