Lumbini is the historic birth place of Lord Buddha. It is the world’s most important spiritual sites of Nepal. Lumbini is a historic place where, Buddha was born in 623 BC. Buddha introduced the religion Buddhism by gaining the result for death and peace. So, Buddha is also known as ‘lord of peace’. Lumbini is a historic place because Buddha born here and he introduced the peace and light. Lumbini has number of older temples including Mayadevi Temple. Many organizations from various countries find here many stupas and chaitais giving name of their country. Many monasteries are also found. Buddha’s birthplace is itself the sacred holy place for Buddhism. Including Buddhist every religion’s people can visit this religious place full of nature.
Lumbini : Birthplace of Buddha
It is the place where Prince Siddhartha who is known as Buddha was born. It is said that here newly born Prince took his first seven steps and uttered a message to the suffering humanity. This happened in a beautiful Sal grove which is the focal point of Lumbini Garden. Maya Devi, the queen of Shakya King Suddhodhana pf Kapilvastu, passing through Lumbini Garden on Baisakh Purnima(Full Moon Day 623 BC) took a bath in Sacred pond ans gave birth to child soon by supporting the tree branch.
Location
Lumbini lies in foothills of the Himalayas of Nepal. It is located in Lumbini zone of Nepal. Lumbini is the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Rupandehi district of province no. 5. In Nepal. It is situated in the east of Kapilvastu. Lumbini Park is 4.8 km in length and 1.6 km in width. The holy site of Monastery is bordered by large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built, no shops, no hotels or restaurants, etc. The Lumbini covers an area of 2.56 square km (1*3 sq.miles).
Ashoka Pillar
The history of Lumbini was re established with the visit of Mauryan emperor Ashoka. Ashoka Pillar is famous over here. Ashoka pillar was built by Ashoka near the border of India during his reign. He is a Indian Emperor. It is composed of huge numbers of pillars. This pillar was built in 3rd century BC. Only 19 Inscription of pillar are left now, one in Nepal. The pillar located in Nepal is the oldest inscription of pillar ever. Ashoka visit the Lumbini and discovered this when he became Buddhist.
Ashoka pillar is of 6 m. It is made up of pink sandstone.
After his visit structural activities started to mark the birthplace of Buddha. He worshiped the native tree, the bathing pond also visited surrounding historical sites like kapilvastu, Ramagrama and niglihawa.
What to See at Lumbini
The site is with a large Garden of papal trees. Many Buddhist temples and shrines are scattered around there. The most famous temple over there is Maya Devi Temple, mother of Gautam Buddha and wife of king Sudodhana. The modern temple consists of simple white building that protects the ancient history of Lord Buddha. Some sculptures of sandstone are here now in National Museum at Kathmandu. At top temple is a small square tower of the type with Buddha eyes on each side which denotes peace, and a golden pinnacle on top. We also have Ashoka Pillar. Most of the structures are built by sand and bricks. There are over 25 International Buddhist Monasteries.
Climate
The area has a subtropical monsoon climate with a warm wet season.
Places to Visit in Lumbini
- Maya Devi Temple
- Ashoka Pillar
- World Peace Pagoda
- Myanmar Golden Temple
- Lumbini Crane Sanctuary
Outside the Lumbini Garden
- Tilaurakot
- Kudan
- Gothihawa
- Niglihawa
- Sagarhawa
- Aurorakot
- Devdaha
- Ramagrama
How to Reach Lumbini?
It takes 10 hr to drive from Kathmandu to Nepal and 30 min from Bhairawa. The closest airport is Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairawa, daily flights are available. The distance between Kathmandu and Lumbini is 258.7 square km.
Bhairawa is the nearest town to Lumbini. It is 300km far away from kathmandu.
Activity in Lumbini
- Bird watching
- Cultural tour
- Village tour
- Meditation
- Meet the people
When you are inside the Lumbini Garden
- Follow the foot trails
- Donot pluck the flowers
- Do not walk on the monuments
- Do not collect bricks
- Do not encourage begging
- Do not offer milks, coins and water to native sculpture and pillars
- Do not collect soil from Sacred garden
- Get permission from LDT (Lumbini Development Trust) for using camerae
