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Home » Buddhism Detinations in Nepal » Lumbini
Lumbini
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha is considered as one of the holy pilgrimage sties of Buddhism along with Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism was born at Lumbini village in 623 BC. Lumbini is located in the Rupandehi district of Nepal near the Indian border. This holy site of Buddhism became a World heritage site in 1997 and the remnants of past are associated with the birth of Lord Buddha. Buddhism followers from all over the world visit Lumbini.
India Buddhist tours take the pilgrims to Lumbini as it is accessible from India. Followers of other religion also tour Lumbini to explore the remnants of past. There are two parts of Lumbini-one part comprises of the Theravada monasteries and the western part contains Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. The best time to tour Lumbini is in between the months of October and March. The Buddha Purnima festival celebrated in the month of April or May is one of the major attractions for the Buddha devotees.
Major Buddhist Attractions
Sanctum - Sanctorum of the Birthplace :
It is the spot of the Gautam Buddha’s birth.
Maya Devi Temple :
One of the major sites of Lumbini, the Maya Devi temple is dedicated to Maya Devi, mother of Gautam Buddha. Buddhist devotes later built several shrines in the temple premises.
Puskarni :
Pushkarni is a sacred pool located on the south of the Ashokan pillar. It is said that Maya Devi had a holy dip in Pushkarni before giving birth to Lord Buddha. The first purification birth of infant Siddhartha was given at this sacred pool.
The Ashokan Pillar :
The first epigraph evidence that relates the life history of Lord Buddha is the Ashokan Pillar located at Lumbini. It pays tribute to Buddha in the brahmi script.
The other attractions at Lumbini are the Buddhist temple, China temple, Japan Peace Stupa. The stupa is towering 41 meter high and comprises of four statues of Lord Buddha.
Excursions from Lumbini
Kapilavastu :
Gautam Buddha spent his childhood at Kapilavastu. It is 27 kms away from Lumbini. There are some archeological remains, monasteries and stupas.
Aroarakot :
It is a fortified area related to the childhood of Gautam Buddha.
Gotihawa :
Gotihawa has an Ashokan Pillar which stands in a slab. Only the lower part of the pillar is seen now. A huge stupa is located near the pillar.
How to Reach
By Air :
Kathmandu International Airport is the nearest airport to Lumbini. Reaching Kathmandu one can also take flight to Bhairahawa which is just half an hour drive from Lumbini.
By Road :
Kathmandu is about 306 kms from Lumbini. One can travel to Lumbini by private taxi or bus from Kathmandu.