Lumbini- Birthplace of Lord Buddha 

Nepal, the land of the highest mountain in the world Mt. Everest, the motherland of Lord Budha, lies in the Southern part of Asia. Also, Nepal is a country of rich biodiversity, a country of  Multilanguage, multicultural, and multi-religion with religious harmony,  and has many cultural and natural heritage sites. Including 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, it has many hills, mountains, temples and monasteries, water areas, and many more areas which make you feel like heaven while visiting many famous places for adventurous sports activities.

The best part of traveling in Nepal is, that you can travel to heavenly places at a reasonable price and the people here are so compassionate and humble. Of many famous pilgrimage sites like Pashupatiu Nath (One of the famous Hindu Temples), Janakpur (Birthplace of Goddess Sita), etc,  Lumbini:- The Birthplace of Lord Buddha is the most popular holy place where thousands of thousand devotees visit to pray for peace of the world.

About Lumbini: The motherland of Lord Buddha

Lumbini, the Birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is one of the holiest places of the world's Great religion i.e., Buddhism, and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lord Budha is also known as a messenger of peace, so Lumbini is also seen as the center of world peace. Lumbini is one of the famous tourist destinations in Nepal, as it draws thousands of visitors every year. Apart from the birthplace of Lord Budha, Mayadevi temple, there are numerous awesome astounding Buddhist temples and monasteries for visiting that have been donated from different countries around the world.

Thus,  you can see many temples in China, Japan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand,  France, and South Korea in Lumbini which have a Buddhist influence that makes you feel like you are traveling all over South East Asia. Besides this, within the holy site, there are many monasteries, a museum, monuments, and the Lumbini International Research Institute. Apart from the common advantage of pilgrimage, visiting Lord Budha’s birthplace has much significance. Lumbini has gained high status not only as a sacred place of religious importance but also as a tourism point of view. Thus, If you would like to feel peace,  and would like to explore Buddhism history and culture, and see some beautiful architecture deeply, it would be better to stay at night and spend the whole day visiting the Lumbini area.

Luxury holidays Nepal has a Guided Lumbini visiting tour package. The Lumbini tour would be the best place for Buddhism, and also if you would love to explore the Buddhist religion, culture,  and architecture around the birthplace of Lord Budha.

History of Lumbini

Siddhartha Gautam Buddha, founder of the Buddhism, Lord Budha was born in 623 B.C. in the prominent garden of Lumbini, which later became the place of pilgrimage. Lumbini has also been a World Cultural Heritage Site since 1997. The Indian emperor who visited the Lumbini as a pilgrim erected a pillar of his remembrance called the Ashoka Pillar. Now this place has been developed as the main center of Buddhist pilgrimage, where the archaeological remainder is connected with the birth of Lord Buddha, Sidhartha Gautam the main feature. The Lumbini holds a long history of Sidhartha Gautam Buddha, who is known as Lord Budha.

Where is Lumbini? How to get to Lumbini?

Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam, is historically an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, which lies in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province, Terai Plains of Southern Nepal. Lumbini is 326km away from the Capital city, Kathmandu, Nepal. One can also fly directly from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa, Siddharth Nagar, in half an hour. From Bhairawa, it is only 22km to Lumbini and can travel from the Capital to Lumbini. You can reach Lumbini from both famous tourist destinations in Nepal, Pokhara, and Chitwan in a fair amount of time by bus.  Lumbini is 85.1 km away from Chitwan, and it takes around 6 hours. Lumbini is 163 km away from Pokhara and it takes around 4 hours by bus. From both Pokhara and Chitwan, you can easily have access to bus companies and travel by microbus or deluxe to Lumbini.

Entry Fee

Entering inside the Mayadevi Temple, which is taken as the place where Lord Budha was born, requires an entry charge.

Hotel and Restaurants

There are several large hotels in Bhairava and Butwal to provide good facilities for visitors. And those visitors who want to stay in Lumbini, there are some hotels around the Lumbini hotels which are clean and well-facilitated. You can stay in monasteries around the area.

Major Attraction of Lumbini- Birthplace of Lord Buddha 

Lumbini has a reputed status not only as a pilgrimage of Buddhism but also renowned as one of the top tourist destinations in Nepal. Thousands of visitors come every day just to visit temples and monasteries in Lumbini. Lumbini has several temples on its premises, including the historically important Maya Devi Temple named after the mother of Lord Budha. Also, the Sacred Mayadevi Pond, Bodhi Tree, and Ashoka Pillar are important sites that carry a long history of Budha. Besides this, there are rivers, museums, a Buddhist Religion Research center, and different cultural heritage sites and religious places being built by different countries. The Lumbini is covered with tall green trees and the old blocks are marked back to the 3rd century B.C.The short description of  Major Attraction of Lumbini, which has historically and archaeologically valued  and has prominent history, the Birthplace of Lord Buddha, is enlisted below:

Maya Devi Temple

Maya Devi Temple is an old Buddhist temple, located at UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lumbini, Nepal. This temple is considered the birthplace of Gautam Budha, also taken as the main temple of Lumbini, the whole of Buddhism.  The temple has a mark where Lord Budha was born, also the archaeological structure:- Ashoka Pillar just a site of the temple is dated back to the 3rd century BCE.

The temple lies right next to the holy Pushkarini pool and a holy garden. This holy temple is peaceful and is filled with a number of prayer flags arranged between the trees, just outside the Mayadevi temple. This place would surely provide you with the best feeling to stop around on your journey.

Also, Read Best Time to Visit Nepal. 

Bodhi Tree

Bodhi Tree, lies on the bank of the holy Maya Devi pond, in the Maya Devi temple premises. The tree is an old Peepal Tree, scientifically called Ficus religiosa, which is covered by colorful prayer flags. People believed that wishes made while binding the flags are usually granted. The Bodhi tree is considered very important in Buddhism because Lord Budha achieved understanding and liberation from anger, delusion, and self-indulgence in the Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya.

The whole journey of Budha’s life after he abdicated his throne,  is connected with the tree, he became disciplined, achieved enlightenment, and was taught about his understanding till his last breath.

Mayadevi Pond

Mayadevi Pond is a holy pond, as  Lord  Buddha’s mother- Mayadevi used this pond for her first bathing after Sidhartha Gautam Buddha’s birth. The pond is located inside Lumbini Garden, in front of Maya Devi Temple. The square-shaped pond has footsteps down toward the water level from every site so people can get to the water level easily. During the occasion, the steps are filled with oil lamps that illuminate the pond after sunset to worship the holy pond. Therefore the Maya Devi pond is not just religious but also carries great historical importance.

Ashoka Pillar

The Ashoka Pillar is located inside the peaceful complex of Mayadevi Temple. The Six Meters tall Ashoka Pillar was erected by the great Indian Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century. The Pillar was erected after Emperor Ashoka visited the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Therefore,  The pillar carries both religious and historical significance.

World Peace Pagoda

The white-colored, pagoda-style glorious stupa i.e., World Peace Pagoda also known as Japan Peace Stupa, is a 21st-century monument. The place is one of the prominent tourist destinations, located outside the main compound of Lumbini. The monument has a golden Buddha statue, constructed by Japanese Buddhists. The outstanding structured stupa has a dome in the midpoint, and a corridor encircling the dome on the second level. You can explore, and visit the World Peace Pagoda, the symbol of peace all over the week, which inspires you to walk the path of peace and to live in unity, which is very important in today's world.

China Temple ( Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery)

The elegant Buddhist Monastery, Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery is also called the China Temple. The temple is pagoda-style and is close to one of the well-known forbidden cities of China. The internal courtyard is so peaceful and joyful.

Lumbini Monastic Site

The Lumbini Monastic Site is a large area filled with various monasteries and temples which are constructed to provide insights into the Gautam Buddha’s life and help in understanding the significance of Buddhism, its value, evolution, and its methods. The Monastic site is filled with scenic beauty and is built with outstanding architectural design. The monastic site is separated into two areas by a water canal which is usually used to explore boats by tourists. You can explore the Buddhist tradition, culture, and history on this Monastic site.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Adventure Activities in Nepal 2023

Lumbini Crane Sanctuary

The famous pilgrimage site, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Lumbini Garden are now home to Cranes. This place is spread over a large area of around 6sq.km and also consists of the Tilaurakot palace, where Lord Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life. The unique attraction of this place has made it worth a visit. Lumbini Crane Sanctuary has the purpose of keeping safe the endangered Sarus Cranes, around the area.  Also, it is believed that Sidhartha Gautam Buddha fought for the safety of Sarus Cranes. The place would be the best destination for those who would love to visit the pilgrimage sites and wildlife areas.

Lumbini Museum

The Lumbini Museum lies inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lumbini, in a religious garden area. The Lumbini Museum was constructed in the 1970s and is now remade by  Kris Yao, a famous architect from Taiwan, and his team. The Lumbini museum consists of around 1200 artifacts along with metal sculptures, religious manuscripts, coins from Khurasan and Maurya Dynasty, Terra Cottas, and straps from all around the world representing the Lumbini.

Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery

The majestic Monastery depicts the Thai Monastery Style i.e., stunning wat-style, dedicated to Lord Buddha. The building is made from white marble, and the blue-roofed meditation center close to it is with fine architectural design.

Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihar

Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihar is the Tibetan-style Buddhist Gomba, which was set up by His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and king of Mustang, therefore this belongs to the Sakyapa order. Tara Puja is performed every day by the 60 monks who live there. The peaceful environment of this temple makes it a perfect place for meditation and self-observation.

Sri Lankan Monastery

The beautiful Sri Lankan Monastery is also called as Sri Lankan Temple and provides insights into Gautam Buddha’s life and its importance. The magnificent monastery carries several significant religious practices and events, mainly those followed in Sri Lanka.

Cambodian Monastery

The Cambodian monastery is built in the famous Angkor Wat architectural design and is a combination of spiritual forces and colorful fantasy which has made the monastery one of the most fascinating temples in Lumbini. The immense wall is covered with attractive and complex designs.

Myanmar Golden Temple (Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery)

Myanmar Golden Temple is one of the old structure temples in the Lumbini, dedicated to Lord Buddha. The temple is built with fine Burmese architecture style, has Lokamani Pula Pagoda, and three prayer halls inside the temple premises. This structure gives a beautiful view of the temple. This is the perfect example of the good relationship between Nepal and Myanmar. The golden statue of  Lord Buddha is kept in a meditation position. The peaceful environment of this temple has made this a place perfect for meditation and solitude.

Korean Temple (Dae Sung Shakya)

The impressive Korean Style structured Buddhist Monastery,  Dae Sung Shakya Sa is also famous as the Korean Temple. The colorful murals on the ceiling have made this temple so pretty. Also, the number of monks who meditate every day and visit this area makes it a refreshing and peaceful experience.

The monastery also offers a community sleeping area, including meals to the visitors at low cost i.e, NPR 500 Per Day.

Manang Samaj Stupa

This oldest Stupa was constructed back in 600 BC with the aid of the Manang Community, Northern Nepal. Therefore,  the stupa is named Manang Samaj Stupa. The stupa is surrounded by colorful murals and has a golden statue at the center.

Vietnam Phat Quoc Tu Temple

Vietnam, Phat Quoc Tu Temple, in Lumbini represents the good relationship between Nepal and Vietnam. The temple is flanked by artificial mountains and a big roof. This place is worth a visit, while you are here in Lumbini and you are interested in Buddhism.

Great Drigung Lotus Stupa

The Great Drigung Lotus Stupa is a historically and religiously important Stupa, that was built by Germany. Therefore represents a good relationship between Germany and Nepal. The hollow crown party in the building is slightly covered in glass, which depicts the presence of a Buddha statue inside, also Buddhist murals are in the main prayer’s domed ceiling. This stupa is truly one of the most beautiful stupas in Lumbini and was constructed with the aid of the German Tara Foundation. You can see the beautiful amalgamation of wood, gold, and carvings. The different structures have different meanings. The stupa is cared for and run by Rinpoche.

Thrangu Vajra Vidya Monastery

Thangu Rinpoche is the one who believed in the Buddha’s teachings, peace principle, knowledge, and unity. Thrangu Vajra Vidya Monastery is one of the institutions actively helping Buddhist studies in Nepal. Therefore, this monastery is dedicated to Thrangu Rinpoche. Several monks are inspired by this monastery. This monastery is one of the great attractions in Lumbini.

Tilaurakot

Apart from the Lumbini, Tilaurakot, the ancient city of Kapilvastu, Nepal, is a historically important place, lying 29km west of Lumbini. Lord Buddha spends the first 29 years of his life in this place before he officially abdicates his throne and begins the Buddha’s path.

Tilaurakot lies in the peaceful meadow, on the Banganga river bank. The archaeological work is going to give insights into the Buddha's life. The place gives you a warm feeling and ancient vibes while visiting.

Tips While Visiting Lumbini

• Wear sandals, flip flops, or something you can easily take off,  cause while visiting inside the temple, you need to take off your shoes.
• An early morning walk would be better to avoid heat.
• Rikshaw would be a good way to roam around the Lumbini.
• As Lumbini lies comparatively for high-temperature reasons, bugs and mosquitos come out to play, so it would be better to be more careful, also you can carry.
• Odomos or similar creams and medicines. 

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