Lumbini, July 22 -- The historic Mayadevi Temple, located at the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini, has undergone a major facelift after years of neglect, thanks to the financial assistance from the Royal Thai Monastery. The renovation, costing Rs 6.7 million, was completed over five months with the expertise of a Sri Lankan civil engineer, coordinated by the Lumbini Development Trust.

The restoration included comprehensive repairs to electrical wiring, drainage systems, ventilation, and painting-all done in a heritage-friendly manner without disturbing the archaeological remains. The once deteriorating temple had suffered from rising underground water levels, leading to damage to ancient structures. To address this, five new drainage...