Located in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, the small town of Lumbini is regarded as the birth place of Siddhartha Gautama or Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It forms a part of the four holy sites or pilgrimages of the followers of Buddhism along with Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. It is believed that Buddha himself named the four sites for pilgrimage, which include his birthplace, englightment, first discourse and death. While the exact place of Buddha's birth is disputed, legend has it that he spent his childhood here.
Being a holy site, Lumbini has several temples, monasteries and stupas. The town is bestowed with natural beauty and as per legend Maya Devi (Buddha’s mother) was captivated by the scenic splendor of the place. She then experienced labour pains under a Sal tree and Lord Buddha was born. Among the various holy temples here are:
Maya Devi Temple: For centuries no one knew about the existence of this temple. It was discovered after further excavation on a site that a German archaeologist stumbled upon. It’s a brick temple with a sandstone sculpture and scenes of Buddha's birth. Near this temple is a holy bathing pool called Puskarni. It is here that Maha Devi had a bath before her delivery. Excavations have also revealed a ‘marker stone’ here placed by Ashoka, revealing the exact birth place of Buddha.
The China Temple: This temple is a complex of pagodas, meditation cells and prayer rooms built by the Buddhist Association of China. The Buddhist monastery: A beautiful and peaceful monastery built in modern style architecture.
There are various other temples here like the Korean temple, Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Temple, Myanmar Temple etc. There are several other attractions too like the Japan Peace Stupa. Nippon Jon Kyohoji of Japan built this tall edifice measuring 41-m that features four different Buddha statues whereas the dome of the stupa looks towards the four directions. One can also visit the Lumbini Museum. On display here are ancient manuscripts, artefacts from the Mauryan and Kushana periods and several other relics discovered at the excavation site.
The best time to visit Lumbini is during October and November, as the climate at this time is perfect for tourist activities. The town is covered in lush greenery and you can catch breathtaking clear views of the various Himalayan Peaks. To get to Lumbini you can either fly or take a train. The closest airport is at Bhairahawa (22km away) and the closest station is at Nautanwa. To travel within the town you can hire cycle rickshaws or better rent a bike, available at reasonable rates. Lumbini is a town of immense scenic beauty and a rich religious heritage. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The innumerable temples here give this town a holy and blessed aura. It’s a holy pilgrimage centre for Buddhists but other tourists can go there just to feel the calm and serene atmosphere.
Being a holy site, Lumbini has several temples, monasteries and stupas. The town is bestowed with natural beauty and as per legend Maya Devi (Buddha’s mother) was captivated by the scenic splendor of the place. She then experienced labour pains under a Sal tree and Lord Buddha was born. Among the various holy temples here are:
Maya Devi Temple: For centuries no one knew about the existence of this temple. It was discovered after further excavation on a site that a German archaeologist stumbled upon. It’s a brick temple with a sandstone sculpture and scenes of Buddha's birth. Near this temple is a holy bathing pool called Puskarni. It is here that Maha Devi had a bath before her delivery. Excavations have also revealed a ‘marker stone’ here placed by Ashoka, revealing the exact birth place of Buddha.
The China Temple: This temple is a complex of pagodas, meditation cells and prayer rooms built by the Buddhist Association of China. The Buddhist monastery: A beautiful and peaceful monastery built in modern style architecture.
There are various other temples here like the Korean temple, Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Temple, Myanmar Temple etc. There are several other attractions too like the Japan Peace Stupa. Nippon Jon Kyohoji of Japan built this tall edifice measuring 41-m that features four different Buddha statues whereas the dome of the stupa looks towards the four directions. One can also visit the Lumbini Museum. On display here are ancient manuscripts, artefacts from the Mauryan and Kushana periods and several other relics discovered at the excavation site.
The best time to visit Lumbini is during October and November, as the climate at this time is perfect for tourist activities. The town is covered in lush greenery and you can catch breathtaking clear views of the various Himalayan Peaks. To get to Lumbini you can either fly or take a train. The closest airport is at Bhairahawa (22km away) and the closest station is at Nautanwa. To travel within the town you can hire cycle rickshaws or better rent a bike, available at reasonable rates. Lumbini is a town of immense scenic beauty and a rich religious heritage. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The innumerable temples here give this town a holy and blessed aura. It’s a holy pilgrimage centre for Buddhists but other tourists can go there just to feel the calm and serene atmosphere.
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