Special prayers held at Kathmandu's Boudhanath temple on Buddha Purnima

Kathmandu, May 04 (ANI): Special prayers were held on Monday in Kathmandu's Boudhanath temple on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. People in large numbers gathered at the Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in Nepal even as the capital city faced major destruction after the 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Himalayan nation. People were seen offering scarves and taking blessings at the stupa. They also lit earthern lamps and prayed for the safety of the country's people in the wake of the massive quake. The peaceful sacred words 'Buddham Saranam gacchami' filled the air as the grieved nation prayed to Lord Buddha. Meanwhile in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at the 'International Buddha Poornima Diwas celebrations', which is to be held in the national capital today. PM Modi also greeted people on the occasion. "Greetings to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima," he tweeted.