The Embassy of India in Nepal, in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust and Lumbini Buddhist University, organised the second edition of the India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini on Sunday.

The festival celebrated the rich cultural heritage and traditions of both India and Nepal, with a special focus on Buddhism, read a press note issued by the Indian Embassy.

The event was jointly inaugurated by Governor of Lumbini Province Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar; Prachanda Bikram Neupane, minister for Industry, Tourism & Transport Management of Lumbini Province; Janmajay Timilsina, minister for Social Development of Lumbini Province; Lharkyal Lama, vice chairman of Lumbini Development Trust; and Prasanna Shrivastava, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

In the evening a cultural programme was held, highlighting a Kathak dance recital, themed around Buddhism, performed by an eight-member troupe from India led by Shikha Sharma and traditional Nepali dance performances by Swojan Raghubanshi and his group, said the embassy.

Additionally, an academic seminar titled “Buddhist Cultural Heritage of India and Nepal” was organised at Lumbini Buddhist University. The seminar brought together eminent Buddhist scholars from India and Nepal, who shared their valuable insights on the cultural and historical significance of Buddhist heritage in both countries.

This interaction aimed at promoting and strengthening the age-old cultural heritage, and close ties between India and Nepal with a deeper appreciation for Indian art forms among the young students of the school, the release stated.