The Second Lumbini International Peace Festival began on Friday, March 21, in Lumbini. It features three major events: the Lumbini International Peace Marathon, Lumbini International Meditation Day, and the Lumbini Peace Concert.  

Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song jointly inaugurated the festival. The opening ceremony at the Maya Devi Temple Garden included a meditation session attended by around 200 monks and practitioners.  

Minister Pandey highlighted Lumbini’s significance as both a sacred site for Buddhists and a global center for peace. Ambassador Chen Song expressed confidence that the festival would strengthen cultural, sports, and people-to-people ties between Nepal and China. The event also marks the 70th anniversary of Nepal-China diplomatic relations and promotes Nepal’s tourism sector.  

The festival is organized in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, the Lumbini Development Trust, the Nepal Olympic Committee, and other stakeholders.  

On Saturday, March 22, the Third Lumbini International Peace Marathon will be held in honor of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, followed by the Lumbini Peace Music Concert in the evening.  

Below are images from the inauguration ceremony, captured by New Business Age’s Sunil Sharma.