The Embassy of Nepal in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), successfully organized the “Nepal Destination Promotion Program – Lumbini and Beyond” in Colombo on June 30. The event aimed to spotlight Nepal’s rich spiritual, cultural, and natural tourism offerings, with a particular emphasis on Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and its surrounding destinations. Through engaging presentations and videos, the program promoted Nepal as a diverse and enriching destination for pilgrimage, heritage exploration, and adventure travel.
Strengthening Spiritual and Cultural Ties
The event brought together a distinguished gathering of Sri Lankan travel trade representatives, revered Buddhist monks from both Sri Lanka and Nepal, media professionals, tourism stakeholders, Everest summiteers, Nepal enthusiasts, and members of various Nepal-Sri Lanka friendship associations. The shared objective was to deepen bilateral tourism cooperation and to further promote Nepal as a premier destination for spiritual tranquility, cultural exploration, and mountain adventures.
In his opening address, His Excellency Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, underscored the longstanding spiritual and cultural bonds between Nepal and Sri Lanka. He emphasized the universal significance of Lumbini as the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha and a site of global Buddhist heritage. “Lumbini is not just a Nepali treasure, it is a pilgrimage site for the global Buddhist community. We warmly invite Sri Lankan pilgrims and travelers to experience the peace and profound spirituality of Lumbini and explore Nepal’s broader tourism landscape,” said Ambassador Nepali.
‘Lumbini and Beyond’ – A Journey Through the Greater Buddhist Circuit
A key highlight of the program was a detailed presentation by Ms. Ranu Shah from the Nepal Tourism Board. Through her talk and visuals, she introduced the “Lumbini and Beyond” initiative, a campaign that extends the concept of pilgrimage beyond Lumbini to include the broader Buddhist circuit of Nepal.
This greater Lumbini circuit encompasses numerous historically and spiritually significant sites such as Devdaha (the maternal home of Queen Maya Devi), Tilaurakot (the ancient palace of King Suddhodana), Gotihawa, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Shisaniya, Auraurakot, Kudan, and Ramgram. These sites span across Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, and Nawalparasi districts and offer pilgrims a deep, immersive experience of Lord Buddha’s early life and teachings.
Ms. Shah emphasized Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings, from ancient heritage cities like Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, to the breathtaking Himalayas and tranquil lakes. She encouraged Sri Lankan travelers to consider Nepal as not only a spiritual sanctuary but also a hub for cultural and natural exploration.
Regional Buddhist Connections and Shared Heritage
To reinforce the pan-regional Buddhist connection, the event also featured a video screening on the broader Buddhist pilgrimage circuits across South Asia. The video showcased significant Buddhist heritage sites across Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Maldives, and Afghanistan, underscoring the interconnectedness of Buddhist history and practice throughout the region. These visual narratives helped convey the message of shared spiritual roots and the potential of transnational pilgrimage tourism.
One of the most inspiring moments of the program was the screening of a short video by Ms. Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, the first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest. In her remarks, she shared her personal reflections on Nepal, her journey to the world’s highest peak, and the deep emotional and cultural connection she felt with the Nepali people. Her story resonated strongly with the audience, adding a personal and adventurous dimension to the evening’s spiritual focus.
A Platform for Connection and Cooperation
The program also served as a vibrant networking platform where travel professionals, cultural ambassadors, media, and Buddhist leaders exchanged ideas and explored future collaborations. Discussions revolved around organizing joint pilgrimage tours, improving tourism facilities across Buddhist sites, and enhancing promotional activities to attract more Sri Lankan and regional visitors to Nepal.
Participants acknowledged the importance of Buddhist tourism in building cultural bridges and mutual understanding. They also recognized the growing trend of spiritual tourism among modern travelers seeking meaningful experiences rooted in heritage and peace.
Renewed Commitment for Bilateral Tourism Growth
The event concluded with a strong mutual commitment to deepen Nepal-Sri Lanka tourism relations, especially in the context of Buddhist pilgrimage tourism. Both the Embassy of Nepal and the Nepal Tourism Board pledged to continue organizing similar promotional activities and to facilitate easier travel for pilgrims and tourists from Sri Lanka to Nepal. The “Lumbini and Beyond” program highlighted not only Nepal’s sacred heritage but also its readiness to welcome travelers with open arms.
As countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal continue to explore their historical connections and shared values, such initiatives represent a promising path forward for sustainable and spiritually fulfilling tourism. With Lumbini standing as a beacon of peace and enlightenment, and with initiatives like these bringing cultures closer together, Nepal is steadily reinforcing its position as a must-visit destination for spiritual seekers, heritage lovers, and global travelers alike.
