Lumbini. The Embassy of India in Nepal, in partnership with the Lumbini Development Trust and Lumbini Buddhist University, organized the third edition of the India–Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini on 08 December 2025. The annual event highlighted the shared civilizational, cultural and spiritual ties between the two neighboring countries, with a special emphasis on their common Buddhist heritage.

The festival was jointly inaugurated by Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Hon’ble Governor of Lumbini Province; Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust; and Dr. Rakesh Pandey, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. The ceremony saw enthusiastic participation from civil society representatives, scholars, senior monks and members of the Lumbini Development Trust.

The cultural segment of the festival featured performances by distinguished artists from both India and Nepal. A six-member ICCR troupe led by Odissi exponent Sandhya Kunjan Menon Das presented a Buddhist-themed Odissi dance recital, while Nepali band ‘Ghugu Mugu’ performed traditional musical compositions during the evening session.

As part of the festival, an academic seminar titled “India–Nepal Buddhist Heritage: A Common Legacy” was held at the Lumbini Buddhist University earlier in the day. Eminent Buddhist scholars from both countries shared insights on the enduring significance of Buddhist heritage and its role in deepening cultural links and enhancing people-to-people connections.

According to the Embassy of India, the festival reaffirmed the strong cultural and historical bonds between India and Nepal, underscoring Buddhism’s central role in shaping the shared legacy of the two nations.

India–Nepal Cultural Festival