Lumbini: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival at Lumbini was received by Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Later, PM Modi offered prayers at Mayadevi Temple.
PM Modi was accompanied by Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and his spouse Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba.
The two leaders paid their respects at the Marker Stone inside the temple premises, which pinpoints the exact birth spot of Lord Buddha. They attended the pooja conducted as per Buddhist rituals.
Both the Prime Ministers also lit lamps near the Ashoka Pillar located adjacent to the temple. The pillar, which was erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, bears the first epigraphic evidence of Lumbini being the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Thereafter, the two Prime Ministers watered the Bodhi tree sapling from Bodh Gaya which was gifted by PM Modi to Lumbini in 2014 and also signed the temple's visitors' book.
