The second edition of the India-Nepal Cultural Festival was held on December 8, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and traditions of both nations, with a special emphasis on Buddhism.
The festival was inaugurated by prominent dignitaries, including Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Governor of Lumbini Province; Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Minister for Industry, Tourism & Transport Management; Janmajay Timilsina, Minister for Social Development; Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust; and Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. The event witnessed participation from esteemed members of civil society, monks, and other dignitaries.
The festival featured a cultural program showcasing performances by celebrated artists from India and Nepal. Highlights included a Kathak dance recital on Buddhism by an eight-member troupe led by Shikha Sharma, supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, and traditional Nepali dances performed by Swojan Raghubanshi and his group. Earlier in the day, an academic seminar titled “Buddhist Cultural Heritage of India and Nepal” was held at Lumbini Buddhist University, where renowned scholars shared insights into the historical and cultural significance of Buddhist heritage in both countries.
The festival aimed to deepen the enduring cultural and historical bonds between India and Nepal, fostering people-to-people connections and underscoring their shared heritage.