Lumbini - the birth place of Gautam Buddha in Nepal.
Colombo: To promote cultural tourism among the three nations with a common heritage – India, Nepal and Sri Lanka – a motorbike expedition will be kicked off from Gautam Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini, Nepal, in January 2024.
The motorcyclists will travel from Lumbini to Bodh Gaya where Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi tree, Kusinara – where Buddha attained parinirvana. Their journey will also pass through other sacred places of Buddha worship – Shavastri, Saranath, and Sankassa where Buddha spent his time 2,600 years ago. The bikers will arrive in South India and cross the sea at Rameswaram by ferry to Mannar and arrive in Colombo by road through Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Kataragama and several other places of religious worship.
A preliminary discussion was held with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo on September 1, 2023, with the participation of several ministers and organizers and the representatives of Tri Forces and Police. Three organizations in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka – Sarva Dharma Sanvaad, One Universe Organization and Sri Lanka’s Tri Forces will jointly organize a motor bicycle expedition.
Appreciating the organizers’ efforts of this expedition to enhance religious and cultural relations between the three countries – Sri Lanka, Nepal and India – the Sri Lankan Prime Minister assured his government’s full support for the expedition.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Sports, Roshan Ranasinghe and State Ministers Rohana Dissanayake, Shehan Semasinghe, Shantha Bandara, Diana Gamage, Janaka Wakkumbura, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Anura Dissanayake, diplomatic representatives of India and Nepal, Sarva Dharma Sanvaad (SDS) Head, Rahul Patil, Piyal Dharshna Guruge of One Universe Organization and representatives of Tri Forces and Police participated in this discussion.
– global bihari bureau
