Kathmandu, March 20 (IANS): Nepal is set to organise an international conference on Buddha and Buddhism in May, a media report said on Sunday.

The announcement was made on Saturday by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel who said the conference is aimed at glorifying the birth place of Buddha, Lumbini, the Himalayan Times reported.

The government is preparing for the international conference from May 19-21, and for the massive publicity of the invaluable heritage remaining in Lumbini.

The council of ministers has already formed a 501-member committee under the leadership of Minister Pokharel to make the conference a grand success.

Vice-Chairman of Lumbini Development Fund Nigrodh Siddhartha said the conference would support developing Lumbini as a spiritual centre and promote Nepal’s religious and cultural tourism.

The government has extended invitation to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, head of states of neighbouring countries and ministers for culture, high-level representatives from various countries and organisations as well as Buddhist scholars and monks.