Monk in the Mask

The Monks came from different parts of the world to visit the birth place of Buddha are wearing masks while giving prayers to Buddha.

This image is clicked at Tilaurakot, the home of Buddha where he spent 29 years of his life as prince.

The monks were from Thailand and Vietnam came to visit the birth place of Buddha and know his life closely.

But during the visit Buddha's birthplace they have to cover their face with masks.

I didn't get a chance to directly interact with monks and know their views about air quality of Nepal, but this level of precaution while offering prayers clearly indicates that they were concerned of their health due to poor air quality. Lumbini's AQI often lies around 170 - 200 in summer season.

The industrial emissions, vehicles' emission, dust, agricultural burns and several other sources of pollutants make the air harmful for our health.

We have normalized this level of pollution and ignore precautions measures, nor we try to reduce air pollution.

But the foreigners didn't resist this quality and put masks on.

Lumbini as a historically and archeologically important place and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of important tourist destination of Nepal.

But the government's negligence to protect it, archeologically destroying the importance, like Acid Rain is erasing Ashoka Piller.

Monks and other people come to Lumbini, or the birth place of Buddha, seeking peace.

Unfortunately, they exposed to poor air quality which destroy their peace.

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