Lumbini is the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautam who became the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. He lived roughly between 623 and 543 BC. According to Buddhist traditions, Maya Devi (or Mayadevi) gave birth to the prince here, by the lake, on her way to her parental home in Deva Daha in May 623 BC.
In 249 BC, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini (called Rumindei in those days) and constructed four stupas and a stone pillar, known today as Ashoka’s Pillar that bears an inscription that translates as: “King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan ‘blessed one’ having been born here. Lumbini village was taxed was reduced and entitled to the eight parts (only)”.[break]
Today, Lumbini stands as one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world where devotees and tourists visit to experience the peace as preached by Lord Buddha Himself. The other three are Kushinagar (Kushinara of old), Bodh Gaya and Sarnath. In 1997, Lumbini was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unlike in Haridwar, Mecca or the Lourdes, pilgrims to Lumbini come in a slow, respectful trickle and many stay on to meditate in the monasteries surrounding the sacred site. That said, Lumbini has undergone a major renaissance over the last few years, and new monasteries are springing up here.
Travel highlights
At the heart of Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, restored to its new form and which marks the exact spot where Queen Maya Devi of Kapilavastu gave birth to Prince Siddhartha. Surrounding the temple is a sacred garden containing the Ashokan Pillar as well as the ruined foundations of dozens of ancient stupas and monasteries.
Extending for miles around the sacred garden is a huge park known as the Lumbini Development Zone, designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange in 1978. It is a work in progress but the grounds are already full of landscaped lakes and Buddhist monasteries, constructed by Buddhist communities from around the world.
Then there is Tilaurakot, 22 km away from Lumbini which, as discovered by archeologists, was the capital of Kapilvastu, the kingdom of Suddhodhana, Siddharth Gautam’s father. It is said that Siddhartha Gautam spent 29 years of his princely life at Tilaurakot.
Apart from that, there are many monasteries, stupas and pagodas in Lumbini that are among its major attractions: West Monastic Zone, East Monastic Zone, World Peace Pagoda, The Royal Thai Monastery, Cambodian Monastery, Mahabodihi Society Temple, Dhamma Janani Meditation Centre, Myanmar Golden Temple, International Nun’s Temple, Dharmodaya Sabha Temple, Sokyo Monastery, and Tashi Rabten Ling Monastery.
There is also a museum dedicated to the Buddha and His life, with artifacts and photos from Buddhist sites around the world, from Kathmandu to Kandy (Sri Lanka).
Getting there
Lumbini is 22 km from the border town of Bhairahawa, which is connected by air to Kathmandu; and daily flights are available. As Lumbini has no airport, one has to fly to Bhairahawa first and then drive to Lumbini from there.
One can also travel 300 km from Kathmandu to Lumbini, which takes around six hours of driving. There are buses operating on daily basis between Lumbini and Kathmandu.
Accommodation
Lumbini houses many wonderful hotels and lodges for accommodation. From mere roadside motels to exotic resorts, Lumbini has it all. One can choose according to one’s taste and budget.
Prices range from around Rs. 1,900 per night all the way to Rs. 11,500.
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