Nepal celebrates 2585th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha

Thousands of devotees thronged the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Swoyambhunath to mark the 2585th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. Devotees lit incense sticks, offered flowers, spin the "Mane" and offered alms to monks commemorating Buddha’s contributions to the establishment of world peace. Buddha, regarded as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born on Shukla Purnima of Baisakh month in the lunar calendar. The Buddhist communities in the world, including Nepal, observe the day with much reverence. The birth anniversary of Buddha, the apostle of non-violence and peace, is being observed with spiritual leaders and gurus at monasteries. At Swoyambhunath, which in Sanskrit means "self-born," devotees since early morning performed various rituals, climbing up the hill and crossing thousand steps. Buddha, born into the royal family of King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi, left his palace at the age of 29 for penance. He is also regarded as the ‘Light of Asia’.