Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed preparations for the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kushinagar, the place of ‘Mahaparinirvana’ of Lord Buddha, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima on May 16.
The chief minister held a meeting with the administration and police officers at the Kushinagar International Airport complex and issued necessary directions regarding the preparations. He said that all the arrangements should be completed in time to ensure that the prime minister’s programme is completed in an orderly manner.
The chief minister offered prayers at the Mahaparinirvana temple. Senior officials of the government and administration, including public representatives, were present on the occasion.
Modi will arrive at the Kushinagar International Airport around 9:30 am on May 16. He will also visit Lumbini in Nepal, where Lord Buddha was born.
Modi will offer a ‘chevre’ (chadar) and prayers to the laying statue of Lord Buddha at the Mahaparinirvana temple. A delegation of Buddhist monks, including president of Bhikshu Sangh AB Dnyaneshwar, will also be present at the temple on the occasion.
The prime minister will also be spending some time in meditation at the Mahaparinirvana temple. He will also donate a ‘chevre’ and ‘sangdaan’ to Buddhist monks of various monasteries.
The PM will be visiting the Mahaparinirvana temple of Lord Buddha for the second time within seven months. Earlier, he had visited the temple on October 20 to inaugurate the Kushinagar International Airport. The same day, he had offered prayers at the Mahaparinirvana temple and offered a ‘chevre’ to the statue of Tathagata.