Lumbini, Dec. 9 -- Senior Indian official Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs, India on Monday evening attended the 3rd India-Nepal Cultural festival in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

The third edition of the cultural festival organized by the Embassy of India in Nepal, in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust and Lumbini Buddhist University, focused on Buddhism.

"Our two countries share not only close civilizational and cultural ties but also a shared reverence for lord Buddha and his teachings. Lord Buddha was born in the sacred city of Lumbini and he delivered his first sermon in Sarnath. His life and journey formed an enduring and unparalleled bond between our two countries ...