Buddha Circuit cycle tour kicks off

By Our Correspondent,Bhairawa, Feb. 5: A three-day cycle tour left Lumbini for Kushinagar on Friday. Organised by the Buddha Circuit Cycle Tour Coordination Committee, the tour was kicked off by Lumbini Development Trust’s Vice Chairman Venerable Metteyya Sakyaputta and Treasurer Dhundi Raj Bhattarai.

Speaking on the occasion, Sakyaputta called the tour, which is being held to preach the message of Lord Gautam Buddha, positive. 

Mentioning that Buddha also travelled great distances in his lifetime, he hoped that the tour would have a positive impact.

He also expressed his commitment to promote the use of bicycles in Lumbini as they were a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transport. 

A group of 70 people, including activists, Buddhist pilgrims and Indian nationals, have participated in the cycle tour which will conclude on Sunday, informed tour coordinator Usha Titikchhu. The participants will pass through Devdaha and Ramgram on their way to Kushinagar while meditating and adhering to the principles of Sadhana.

Ratan Shrestha, president of the Nepal Cycle Society, expressed his happiness for being able to cycle from the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and asked authorities to make provisions to allow such tours to be organised around Lumbini too.

Professor Dr. Tara Lal Shrestha and Indian journalist Pushpa Raj Sastri informed that the cycle tour was different because it was being done around the Buddha Circuit while adhering to the rules of meditation.