May 14,Kathmandu: The 2558th Buddha Jayanti Programme Main Committee took the Asthi Dhatu or the sacred relic of the Shakyamuni Gautam Buddha round Swyamabhu amid a religious procession this morning.
The relic kept at local Anandakuti Vihar was taken around the Swayambhu area as per the tradition of taking it around the town every three years.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, W.M. Senevirathna took out the relic from the Vihara carrying it on his head. It was then taken for circumambulation on the Swayambhu circuit path.
Upon conclusion of the circumambulation ritual, the relic has been kept for public viewing to the west of the Sri Lankaram temple at the Vihara premises. One can have a darshan of the sacred relic throughout the day today.
Vice president of the committee Bhikkhu Kaudanya said the relic was brought to Nepal with the support of the Sri Lanka government and it is kept for public viewing every year on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti.
Meanwhile, a large number of devotees have thronged Swayambhunath stupa today since the morning on the occasion. RSS
