Buddha Purnima: Narendra Modi to visit Nepal tomorrow

Speaking ahead of his visit to the Himalayan nation, Modi said: "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."

"I also look forward to meeting Prime Minister Deuba again after our productive discussions during his visit to India last month," he said.

"We will continue to build on our shared understanding to expand cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity," Modi said.

"Apart from visiting the holy Mayadevi Temple, I will be participating in 'Shilanyas' ceremony of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone. I will also be attending celebrations to mark the occasion of Buddha Jayanti organised by the Government of Nepal," he siad.

He said India's ties with Nepal is 'unparalleled'.

"The civilisational and people-to-people contacts between India and Nepal form the enduring edifice of our close relationship. My visit is intended to celebrate and further deepen these time-honoured linkages that have been fostered through centuries and recorded in our long history of inter-mingling," Modi said.

This will be the Indian Prime Minister’s fifth visit to Nepal since 2014.