Lumbini, March 5 -- Ordination ceremony for 500 novice monks, also known as Shramneras, is underway in the Maya Devi Temple complex of Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha.

The Pravrajya ceremony started from Tuesday with yellow robes, or Chibar being handed over by senior Buddhist monks who initiated the Shramanera (novice monk) ordination.

Organised jointly by All Nepal Bhikkhu Association and the Thai Bhikkhu Association in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust and several other organizations, the ordination ceremony will be completed on March 16.

"The grand Pravrajya ceremony is underway in the sacred land of Nepal-Lumbini the birth place of Gautam Buddha which is being participated by 500 Pravajya (novice monks). I...