NEPAL: Thousands gather in Swayambhunath Stupa to mark Buddhism's holiest day and celebrate Vesak, or "Buddha Day"

Record ID: 860565

  • Title: NEPAL: Thousands gather in Swayambhunath Stupa to mark Buddhism's holiest day and celebrate Vesak, or "Buddha Day"
  • Date: 7th May 2012
  • Summary: KATHMANDU VALLEY, NEPAL (MAY 6, 2012) (REUTERS) MAIN GATE OF LONG STAIRCASE TO REACH SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA COMPLEX VARIOUS OF DEVOTEES STANDING IN LINE TO CLIMB STAIRS CROWDS AROUND ONE OF HUNDREDS OF BUDDHA STATUES IN KATHMANDU VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WORSHIPPING AT STATUE OF BUDDHA PEOPLE ENTERING SWAYAMBUNATH STUPA COMPLEX GOLDEN STATUE OF BUDDHA INSIDE MAIN STUPA OF SWAYAAMBUNATH PEOPLE WORSHIPPING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE KNEELING DOWN ON GROUND IN FRONT OF BUDDHIST ICON VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH ENCLOSURE VARIOUS OF BUDDHIST MONKS HELPING VISITORS WORSHIP LITTLE BUDDHA BY BATHING WITH SCENTED WATER EXTERIOR OF SWAYAMBUNATH STUPA COMPLEX VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING UP HILL TO REACH SWAYAMBUNATH STUPA COMPLEX TOURISTS LOOK AT PAINTINGS DEPICTING LIFE CYCLE OF BUDDHA VARIOUS OF PAINTINGS DEPICTING LIFE CYCLE OF BUDDHA EXTERIOR OF SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA COMPLEX (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) RESIDENT OF BHAKTAPUR (THIRD LARGEST CITY OF KATHMANDU VALLEY), SANUBHAI BAJRACHARYA, SAYING: "We are here to celebrate this occasion given today is the birthday -- the day of nirvana and the day he achieved Buddhism and also today being the full moon."
  • Embargoed: 22nd May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nepal
  • City:
  • Country: Nepal
  • Topics: Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA4M4SH6646WW3Z395SV81PX8OY
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thousands of devotees gathered on Sunday (May 6) at the Swayambhunath Stupa, an ancient religious complex Kathmandu Valley to mark one of Tibetan Buddhism's holiest days, the anniversary of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.
    Celebrations are held on the first full moon in the month May or Baishakh.
    "We are here to celebrate this occasion given today is the birthday -- the day of nirvana and the day he achieved Buddhism and also today being the full moon," said Sanubhai Bajracharya, a resident of Bhaktapur, the third largest city of Kathmandu Valley.
    A ceremony near the temple was attended by the country's president and prime minister.
    "World peace and the message of the liberation of humanity, which originated 2,556 years ago, does not end with Nepal and the continent of Asia, rather it has become the common message of all five continents," Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said.
    Meanwhile, President Ram Baran Yadav said Buddha's message is just as relevant today.
    "I feel the message of Lord Buddha for peace and non-violence is much more appropriate in the world today."
    Buddha is worshipped and revered as a god across the Asian and Sun Asian continents.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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