Kathmandu [Nepal]: The India-Nepal Cultural Festival 2024, organized by the Embassy of India in Nepal, took place on Saturday in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. This second edition of the festival celebrated the rich cultural heritage and deep historical ties shared by the two neighboring nations, with a special focus on Buddhism.
The second India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini was jointly inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Governor of Lumbini Province; Hon’ble Mr. Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Minister for Industry, Tourism & Transport Management of Lumbini Province; Hon’ble Mr.… pic.twitter.com/AIk758rokd
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The event featured an array of activities, including a cultural programme with performances by Indian and Nepali artists and an academic seminar on the Buddhist cultural heritage of both countries.
Key Inauguration and Attendance
The festival was inaugurated by prominent dignitaries:
- Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Governor of Lumbini Province
- Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Minister for Industry, Tourism, and Transport Management
- Janmajay Timilsina, Minister for Social Development
- Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust
- Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu
The event saw participation from Members of the Provincial Assembly, the Mayor of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, senior monks, and civil society representatives, as well as council members of the Lumbini Development Trust.
Cultural Highlights
The evening cultural programme showcased performances from both nations.
- Kathak Dance Recital: An eight-member Indian troupe led by Shikha Sharma performed a dance themed around Buddhism, supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
- Traditional Nepali Dance: Swojan Raghubanshi and his group captivated the audience with Nepali traditional dance performances.
Academic Seminar and Student Engagement
As part of the festival, a seminar titled “Buddhist Cultural Heritage of India and Nepal” was held at Lumbini Buddhist University, where Buddhist scholars from both countries shared their insights into the shared heritage and its historical significance.
Kathak exponent Shikha Sharma and her troupe also interacted with students at Shree Ram Naresh Yadav Adarsh Model Secondary School in Butwal, introducing them to Indian classical dance. The school building was constructed with financial assistance from the Government of India under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP).
Upcoming Performances
The Kathak troupe is set to perform in Kathmandu and Pokhara, further enriching cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Strengthening Ties
The India-Nepal Cultural Festival serves to deepen the unique and close relationship between the two nations, celebrating their shared history and fostering people-to-people connections. The event highlighted the strong bonds of culture, history, and spirituality that unite India and Nepal.