Buddha Jayanti celebrated at Malaysia

KATHMANDU, May 05:The Embassy of Nepal  in Malaysia and the Non-Resident Nepali Association recently staged a splendid celebration of Buddha Jayanti and Vesak Day at Kuala Lumpur's Kandiah Hall. More than 500 Nepali expatriates and representatives from diplomatic missions, including the High Commission of Sri Lanka and the High Commission of the Republic of Mauritius, attended the event.

The event began with a traditional Buddha Puja followed by a Nepali cultural dance and a delicious spread of traditional Nepali cuisine. HE Dilli Paudel, the Ambassador of Nepal to Malaysia, inaugurated the program by welcoming the guests and sharing insights about Nepal's importance in Buddhism and the significance of Buddha Jayanti.

Mr. Som Sapkota, the spokesperson for the Non-Resident Nepali Association and chair of the tourism promotion committee, highlighted the importance of Buddha's teachings and encouraged everyone to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. He also discussed the development of Nepal's hospitality sector and appealed.

The event also featured a march pass with participants holding Nepali flags and marching with beautifully decorated trucks featuring Buddha statues, Nepali flags, and other religious artifacts. Over 12 Buddhist countries diplomatic mission as well Malaysia participated in the march pass with their well-decorated trucks and music playing Buddha puja mantra. There were thousands of participants.

The program also honored the remarkable achievement of two Malaysian mountaineers, M. Magendran and N. Mohanadas, who successfully climbed Mount Everest in 1997. Mr. Dilli Paudel honored them with the Khada, a traditional Nepali scarf, in recognition of their feat.

The event was hailed as a grand success, with participants expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to come together and celebrate Buddha's jayanti. Mr. Binod Thapa, the President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association in Malaysia, thanked all participants for their valuable contributions and support and expressed his hope for their continued efforts to promote Nepal globally.

Among the distinguished guests who attended the event was DATUK SERI DR. KK CHAI, the President of the TI-RATNA Welfare Society. He expressed his gratitude for the invitation and spoke about the importance of Buddha's teachings. He added that he has visited Nepal and Lumbini more than 20 times and plans to continue doing so. Bhawana Panta, a representative of Nepal Airlines, also attended the program, adding to the event's prestige and significance.

The celebration of Buddha Jayanti and Vesak Day in Malaysia was a testament to the universal appeal and relevance of Buddha's teachings, and the event served as a platform for promoting Nepal's culture and tourism. Netra KC, an ICC member of NRNA and a member of the tourism promotion committee, expressed his gratitude for the success of the program and its potential to promote Buddha's teachings globally and Nepal's tourism in Malaysia.