Lumbini the birthplace of Gautama Buddha is a highly revered Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal. It is located in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal. Lumbini Maya Devi temple was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Located 22 km west of Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa). Bhairahawa is the nearest airport to Lumbini.

As per the prevalent customs of those days Maya Devi mother of Buddha went to Devdaha from Tilaurakot to deliver the first child. She started having labor pain on the way only. On reaching there she drank water and took a dip in the holy pond and after taking five steps she gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam. It is said that after his birth Siddhartha walked seven steps on the white lotus and uttered three mantras while all Gods and Goddesses showered flowers on him.

Steeped in history this place is pivotal for Buddhist heritage. It is the place where Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 BC in Lumbini near the historic city of Kapilavastu. He was born in an aristocratic family of the Shakya clan, but eventually renounced all the comforts of his kingly life. He searched for the real meaning of life which lead him to contemplate and meditate on it. After years of meditation, he become enlightened and came to be called ‘’Buddha” meaning the ’’enlightened one”.

After attaining enlightenment he started teaching people that enlightenment can be achieved by all. His disciples came to be called Buddhists. So the places surrounding his life is a pilgrimage site for the Buddhists. Lumbini being the birthplace of lord Buddha is considered a sacred place for the pilgrims.

Other sites linked to the life of the Buddha nearby are Tilaurakot, where Prince Siddhartha lived a life of luxury before embarking on the path to enlightenment. Maya Devi Temple is located on the exact spot where Buddha was born. It is a white-colored square structure with a golden spire. It has got a large holy pond called pushkarini (an ancient Hindu stepped bathing well normally adorned with lotus). In front of the temple stands a pillar erected by King Ashoka who was pivotal in spreading out Buddha”s teachings far and wide.

Lumbini has several older temples, including the Mayadevi Temple. This site had a monastic complex and was a major place of pilgrimage during Lord buddhas time but with time had gone to ruins and lost its relevance. Only later it was revived after the discovery of the Ashoka pillar amidst the ruins.

Maya Devi temple is surrounded by beautiful stupas, monasteries and temples built by Buddhists from around the world for monks and pilgrims. Lumbini International Research Institute, many monuments, monasteries and a museum is also within this holy site.The holy pond Puskarini, where Buddha’s mother took a dip before his birth and where Buddha was bathed after his birth is also near the temple.

The Bodhi Tree in Lumbini is located in the premises of the Maya Devi Temple complex right next to the shrine on the banks of the serene Maya Devi Pond. Buddhist monks often sit under the tree meditating and chanting spiritual scripts. The tree is an age-old Peepal tree or Ficus Religiosa clad in colorful prayer flags, Locals believe that wishes made while tying a colorful prayer flag are often granted.

Lumbini sees more pilgrims than tourists, and a contemplative and reflective mood prevails. The things to visit in Lumbini are Maya Devi temple, Tilaurakot, world peace Pagoda, Lumbini Monastic site, Eternal Peace Flame, points of interest and landmarks are the Royal Thai Monastery, Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihar, Myanmar Golden Monastery, Sae Sung Shakya( Korean temple) Kundan Stupa ancient stupas, Manang Samaj Stupa, Vietnam Phat Quoc tu Temple, Great Drigung Lotus Stupa, Thrangu Vajra Vidya Monastery, Chin Temple Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery, Sri Lankan Monastery and Cambodian Monastery.

Lumbini Monastic Site houses various temples and monasteries maintained to help understand the importance of Buddhism, give insights into the life of Gautama Buddha and for teaching the Buddhist principles and Philosophy of belief, the essence of which is maintaining harmonious associations between several countries. Thrangu Vajra Vidya Monastery is one of them. The monastery is dedicated to Thrangu Rinpoche has several students who are aspiring monks where the teachings of Lord Buddha, are taught.

A chorten (monument to Buddha) created by Buddhists from Manang in Northern Nepal, the Manang Samaj Stupa is known to be one of the oldest Stupas in Nepal, dating back to the birth of Gautam Buddha in 600 BC. There is a golden Buddha Statue in the middle of this building and is surrounded by colorful murals.

The Buddhist Site has now become a sanctuary for cranes and spreads over an area of 6 square kilometers and consists of the ruins of the palace of Tilaurakot where Siddhartha Gautam spent 29 years of his life. The relevance of the birthplace of Lord Buddha makes Lumbini a pilgrimage site and it is one of the most unique attractions in Nepal and is worth a visit.

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