July 11: The number of Indian tourists visiting Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, has increased in recent days. According to the Lumbini Development Trust, the number of Indian tourists visiting Lumbini this year is significantly higher than last year.

According to Sanuraja Shakya, member secretary of the trust, the number of Indian tourists visiting the Buddha's birthplace has been increasing since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lumbini on the day of Buddha Jayanti festival.

According to the Information Branch of the trust, 37,835 Indian tourists visited Lumbini during the month and a half after Modi's visit to Lumbini. That number is higher than last year. The number of domestic tourists has also increased.

In the last month, 39,000 domestic tourists visited Lumbini, according to the trust. Not only Indian tourists but also domestic and foreigners from third-countries are visiting Lumbini due to the decline in Covid-19 cases.

Tourists from all over the world are eager to come to Lumbini due to the publicity, said Govinda Gyawali, president of Lumbini Hotel Association. He said that the government should provide special facilities and assistance to the tourists visiting Lumbini.

Religious and spiritual tourists visit the Buddha's birthplace, while other tourists come here to enjoy the beauty.

Chairman of the Siddhartha Hotel, Chandra Prakash Shrestha, said that the tourists visiting Lumbini have also increased due to the operation of the Gautam Buddha International Airport.

Tourism activities in Lumbini, which had declined for a long time due to Covid-19, is now bustling with domestic and Indian tourists as well as visitors from third countries.