On the festival of Buddha Purnima, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid prayers at Nepal's sacred Mayadevi temple on Monday. The Mayadevi Temple was Prime Minister Modi's first destination on his one-day visit to Lumbini. During his visit to the historical temple, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, he was accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Dr Arzu Rana Deuba. The leaders paid their respects at the Marker Stone located within the temple grounds. The two Prime Ministers also lit candles near the Ashoka Pillar, which is located next to the temple. PM Modi will also attend a number of activities commemorating Buddha Purnima. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted, 'Beginning the Nepal visit with prayers at the sacred Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini.'
