Kathmandu� Province 5 has launched the �Visit Lumbini Year-2076� campaign in Kathmandu. The campaign aims to invite 2.5 million domestic and foreign tourists to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace. A road show was organized in Durbarmarg in Kathmandu with the slogan of �Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, spread a message of peace� and an idol of Buddha, and a big image of Mayadevi temple placed on a vehicle were on display. Likewise, Province 5 with the support of the Siddhartha Hotel Association of Nepal (SAN) has launched the nationwide road show campaign to promote the Visit Lumbini Year. The formal announcement of the Visit Lumbini Year is taking place on coming May 18. The day marks the 2563rd Buddha Jayanti. According to program coordinator, the publicity campaign aims to making the celebrations successful. The state government has allocated over Rs 400 million for the campaign. Plans have it that the tourists visiting Lumbini would be given a tour of significant places of Lord Buddha�s early life. Various smaller festivals will be organized in Lumbini as part of this program. The campaign aims at assisting in identifying historical and archaeological significances and conserving them besides promoting local tourism. The second phase of this program under the campaign will cover Heatuda, Birgunj, Janakpur, Itahari and Mechi in the east while third-phase will include Dang, Nepalgunj, Mahendranagar and Surkhet. The fourth-phase will go beyond the border, reaching Kushinagar, Baneras, and Sarnath of India, the Visit Lumbini Year 2076 main organizing committee said.