India-Nepal Cultural Festival Celebrates Shared Heritage in Lumbini

The Embassy of India in Nepal, in partnership with the Lumbini Development Trust and Lumbini Buddhist University, hosted the second edition of the India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini on December 8, 2024. The festival highlighted the deep cultural connections between the two nations, with a special emphasis on their shared Buddhist heritage.

The event was inaugurated by distinguished guests, including Lumbini Province Governor Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Minister for Industry, Tourism & Transport Management Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Minister for Social Development Janmajay Timilsina, Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Dr. Lharkyal Lama, and Indian Deputy Chief of Mission Prasanna Shrivastava. It saw attendance from provincial leaders, local officials, senior monks, civil society members, and representatives from the Indian Embassy and Lumbini Development Trust.

The evening featured captivating cultural performances by renowned artists from both India and Nepal. A Kathak recital themed on Buddhism, led by Indian artist Shikha Sharma and her eight-member troupe, was the highlight of the evening. Supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the performance celebrated Indian classical dance traditions. Traditional Nepali dances, presented by Swojan Raghubanshi and his group, added vibrancy to the program.

An academic seminar titled “Buddhist Cultural Heritage of India and Nepal” was held at Lumbini Buddhist University earlier in the day. Eminent scholars from both countries shared their perspectives on the historical and cultural significance of Buddhist traditions, fostering intellectual exchange.

Kathak artist Shikha Sharma and her troupe also conducted an interactive session with students at Shree Ram Naresh Yadav Adarsh Model Secondary School in Rupandehi. The school, built with financial support from the Government of India under a High Impact Community Development Project, hosted the session to introduce students to the art of Kathak, promoting cultural appreciation.

The Kathak troupe is set to perform in Kathmandu and Pokhara as part of the festival’s broader outreach.

The India-Nepal Cultural Festival underscores the enduring cultural and historical ties between the two nations, fostering people-to-people connections while celebrating their shared heritage. By promoting mutual appreciation of art, history, and traditions, the festival reinforced the unique bond between India and Nepal.