The 2,569th Buddha Jayanti is being celebrated with grandeur in Lumbini on Monday through a series of events attended by both local and international monks and devotees.

A morning prayer ceremony for world peace was held at the Maya Devi Temple from 7am, followed by a procession stretching about two kilometres to the International Meditation Centre.

Thousands of domestic and international visitors have gathered in Lumbini to mark the occasion, leading to heavy crowds at the temple premises since early morning.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the main event as the chief guest.

Buddha Jayanti commemorates Gautam Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death (parinirvana), all believed to have occurred on the full moon day of the month of Baisakh.

Here are some photos of the rally taken out this morning.