IN PICS | PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone Of Centre For Buddhist Culture, Visits Lumbini's Maya Devi Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba as he arrives in Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. This is Modi's fifth visit to Nepal after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, but the first since he was re-elected in 2019. (Image Source: PTI)

PM Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini to mark the occasion of Buddha Purnima. In 1997, Lumbini was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Image Source: ANI)

PM Modi & Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba participate in the foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage, being built at the initiative of the International Buddhist Confederation, New Delhi. (Image Source: ANI)

PM Modi along with Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba lay the foundation stone for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage. Once completed, the Centre will be a world-class facility welcoming pilgrims and tourists from all over the world to enjoy the essence of spiritual aspects of Buddhism. (Image source: PTI)

PM Modi will hold comprehensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba to expand bilateral cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity. (Image Source: ANI)

The PMs paid their respects at the Marker Stone inside the Maya Devi Temple premises, which pinpoints the exact birth spot of Lord Buddha. They attended the pooja, conducted as per Buddhist rituals. (Image Source: ANI)

The two Prime Ministers also watered the Bodhi tree sapling from Bodh Gaya that was gifted by PM Modi to Lumbini in 2014 and also signed the temple's visitor's book. (Image Source: PTI)