The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Sunday organised an event to mark the auspicious occasion of Ashadh Purnima.

Representatives from various Buddhist sects and monasteries in Nepal participated in this celebration, the embassy said in a statement.

Ashadh Purnima marks the moment when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his initial five ascetic disciples at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. 

The celebrations featured ceremonial prayers conducted by the Theravada Sangha, Mahayana Sangha, and Vajrayana Sangha. These were followed by the recitation and dedication of prayers from the Buddhist Sutras.

Deputy Chief of Mission Prasanna Shrivastava highlighted the profound significance of Lord Buddha's teachings, emphasising that the sacred Buddhist sites in both India and Nepal exemplify the shared cultural heritage between the two nations.

Shrivastava also underscored that Buddhism has long served as a unifying force between India and Nepal, fostering enduring ties over centuries, the embassy said.