Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born in
623 B.C., is situated in the Terai plains of southern
Nepal. The nativity site is marked by a stone pillar
erected by Indian Emperor Ashoka in 249 B.C.
Sacred Garden
Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Lumbini
is being developed with international support as the
supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of world
peace. The Sacred Garden where the Buddha was born
converges on the Ashoka pillar which carries an inscription
identifying the spot as the birthplace. To one side
of the pillar is the newly renovated Mayadevi Temple
which houses a bas relief depicting the nativity.
The Puskarni pond, where Queen Mayadevi - the Buddha's
mother - had taken a bath before giving birth to him,
lies nearby.
Temples & Monasteries
The Myanmar Temple (Lokamani Cula Pagoda) is a gleaming
gold and white structure gracefully soaring into the
sky in the style of the Shwe-dagon Pagoda in Yangon.
There is a monastery complex behind the temple. Nearby,
the International Gautami Nuns Temple is a fine replica
of the Swayambhu stupa in Kathmandu. There is a pond
here known as Paleswan Pukhu.
The China Temple is a complex of pagodas, prayer
rooms and meditation cells. Built by the Buddhist
Association of China, the centerpiece at the Zhong
Hua Buddhist Monastery is a huge statue of the Buddha
housed in its main pagoda. Across the road is the
Dae Sung Suk Ga Sa Korean Temple (Tel: 071-580123)
and its guest house has been completed. The Nepal
Buddha Temple and the Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha
Vihara are located inside the Sacred Garden.
The Japan Peace Stupa is situated at the northern
end of Lumbini. Built by the Nippon Jon Myohoji of
Japan, the 41-m tall edifice is visible from a distance.
Four different Buddha statues are set into the stupa's
dome to face the four cardinal directions. Sri Lanka,
Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia are also building temples
in Lumbini.
museums
The Lumbini Museum contains Mauryan and Kushana coins,
religious manuscripts, terra-cotta fragments, and
stone and metal sculptures. It also possesses an extensive
collection of stamps from various countries depicting
Lumbini and the Buddha.
Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI),
located opposite the Lumbini Museum, provides research
facilities for the study of Buddhism and religion
in general. Run jointly by the Lumbini Development
Trust and the Reiyukai of Japan, LIRI contains some
12,000 books on religion, philosophy, art and architecture.
Apilvastu Museum is situated 27 km west of Lumbini
in Tilaurakot. The museum holds coins, pottery and
toys dating between the seventh century B.C. and fourth
century A.D. The museum also has a good collection
of jewelry and other ornaments from that period. Open
daily, except Tuesdays and holidays, 10:00 am to 5:00
pm. Entrance fee is Rs. 10 (SAARC Rs. 5). (Tel: 076-560128).
From Lumbini
Tilaurakot, 27 km to the west of Lumbini, contains
the ruins of ancient Kapilvastu, capital of the Sakya
kingdom where the Buddha spent his youth as Prince
Siddhartha. At Niglihawa (8 km from Tilaurakot) and
Gotihawa (5 km), there are broken Ashoka pillars and
other relics. Devdaha, capital of the Koliya kingdom
and maternal home of Mayadevi, lies 35 km to the northeast
of Lumbini - just off the Butwal-Narayanghat section
of the East-West Highway.
General Information
Lumbini is situated in the tropical Terai plains to
the southwest of Kathmandu.
Access : From Kathmandu, fly to Gautam Buddha
Airport in Bhairahawa (Siddhartha Nagar Municipality,
45 minutes) and then drive (22 km) to Lumbini. Overland
from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa is 282 km (10 hours).
Getting around : The places to see in Lumbini
are scattered over a large area (roughly 8 sq km).
There are battery-operated three-wheelers to get around.
Climate : Absolute extreme temperature 35
degrees Celsius maximum, 7 degrees minimum. The rainy
season lasts June-September. October to may is the
best time to visit.
Accomodation
Lumbini offers good hotels that are equipped with
modern amenities. Visitors can also stay in the nearby
town of Bhairahawa.
