PM Modi departs for Kushinagar

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed for Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh ahead of his visit to Nepal's Lumbini, at the invitation of Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. 

“I look forward to offering prayers at the Mayadevi Temple on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti. I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of millions of Indians to pay reverence at the sacred site of Lord Buddha’s birth,” Modi said in a statement. Lumbini is known as the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Also Read | Look forward to working closely with PM Modi to strengthen Nepal-India ties: Deuba

From Lumbini, he will fly back to Kushinagar around 4pm. Soon, after will participate in a programme organised at Mahanirvana Stupa, Kushinagar. From Kushinagar, he is expected to reach Lucknow around 6pm.

From the Lucknow airport, Modi will drive straight to 5, Kalidas Marg, the chief minister’s residence where Yogi will host a dinner for the PM. Governor Anandiben Patel, both the deputy chief ministers and all the ministers are scheduled to be present on the occasion. After dinner, Modi will leave for Delhi around 9.30pm, said a state government official. (With ANI inputs)

• #Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• #Narendra Modi
• #Kushinagar
• #uttar pradesh
• #nepal
• #Sher Bahadur Deuba