KATHMANDU, Nepal–The 2,558th Buddha Jayanti or the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha was observed on Wednesday amidst various programmes across the world. The day was also observed worldwide with an aim to pass the message of peace and harmony. Buddhists throughout the world celebrate the day paying obeisance to Lord Buddha. Buddha Jayanti commemorated the day on which the Light of Asia was born, attained enlightenment, and got “Mahaparinirvana” (died). The government of Nepal had first declared Buddha Jayanti as a public holiday on May 22, 1951. The United Nations also observed the Buddha Jayanti as a public holiday at its various bodies since 2002. Buddhism is also taught as a discipline in world-famous universities including Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge among others. Tribhuvan University (TU) has also been providing courses on Buddhism at the Masters Level. 2014 also marks 109 years of the discovery of what is called the Ashoka Pillar in Lumbini set up by the then Emperor Ashoka in 249 B.C. It is clearly stated in the Pali language inscriptions on this pillar that the Buddha was born at Lumbini.