Lumbini, Nov. 3 -- Standing on the sacred soil of Lumbini, non-resident Sri Lankan businessman Hernta Herath, who lives in Australia, folded his palms and bowed deeply.

"Two years ago, I made a vow to perform Kathin Dan here (Lumbini). To be able to return and fulfil that wish today makes me feel truly blessed," he said.

Herath, who runs a business in Melbourne, rose at dawn, bathed and dressed in white before taking part in a special Kathin Chivar Dan, a robe-offering ceremony that marks the end of the three-month monastic rain retreat known as Vassa in Pali language. At sunrise, he offered the hand-woven yellow robe at the Maya Devi Temple after prayers and later presented it to monks at the Nava Maitri Mahavihar.

"It is a great hono...