It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. Gautama, who achieved Enlightenment some time around 528 BCE became the Buddha and founded Buddhism.
Lumbini is one of many magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha.
Lumbini has a number of older temples, including the Mayadevi Temple, and various new temples, funded by Buddhist organisations from various countries, have been completed or are still under construction.
Many monuments, monasteries and a museum, and the Lumbini International Research Institute are also within the holy site. Also, there is the Puskarini, or Holy Pond, where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath.
At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, then achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms.
Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was situated in east of Kapilavastu and southwest Devadaha of Shakya, an oligarchic republic. According to Buddhist tradition, it was there, that the Buddha was born. A pillar discovered at Rummindei in 1896 is believed to mark the spot of Ashoka's visit to Lumbini.
The site was not known as Lumbini before the pillar was discovered. According to an inscription on the pillar, it was placed there by the people then in charge of the park to commemorate Ashoka visit and gifts. The park was previously known as Rummindei, 3.2 km north of Bhagavanpura.
The Sutta Nipata states that the Buddha was born in a village of the Sakyans in the Lumbineyya Janapada. The Buddha stayed in Lumbinivana during his visit to Devadaha and there preached the Devadaha Sutta.
Pillars of Ashoka, in 1896, General Khadga Samsher Rana and Alois Anton Führer discovered a great stone pillar at Rummindei, according to the crucial historical records made by the ancient Chinese monk-pilgrim Xuanzang in the 7th century CE and by another ancient Chinese monk-pilgrim Faxian in the early 5th century CE.
The Brahmi inscription on the pillar gives evidence that Ashoka, emperor of the Maurya Empire, visited the place in 3rd-century BCE and identified it as the birth-place of the Buddha. The inscription was translated by Paranavitana.
Then King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped at this spot because the Buddha Shakyamuni was born here.
Both caused to be made a stone bearing a horse and caused a stone pillar to be set up, in order to show that the Blessed One was born here. He made the village of Lummini free of taxes, and paying only an eighth share of the produce.
The Rummindei Edict, one of the Minor Pillar Edicts of Ashoka
At the top of the pillar, there is a second inscription by king Ripumalla 13-14th century CE, who is also known from an inscription at the Nigali Sagar pillar:
Om mani padme hum May Prince Ripu Malla be long victorious.
Inscription of King Ripumalla on the Lumbini pillar of Ashoka, 13-14th century.
A second pillar of Ashoka is located about 22 kilometers to the northwest of Lumbini, the Nigali Sagar pillar with inscription, and a third one 24 kilometers to the west, the Gotihawa pillar without inscription.
Excavation at the Mayadevi Temple in 2013 beneath existing brick structures at the Mayadevi Temple at Lumbini provide evidence for an older timber structure beneath the walls of a brick Buddhist shrine built during the Ashokan era, 3rd-century BCE.
The layout of the Ashokan shrine closely follows that of the earlier timber structure, which suggests a continuity of worship at the site. The pre-Mauryan timber structure appears to be an ancient tree shrine.
Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from the wooden postholes and optically stimulated luminescence dating of elements in the soil suggests human activity began at Lumbini around 1000 BCE. The site, states Coningham, may be a Buddhist monument from 6th-century BCE.
Other scholars state that the excavations revealed nothing that is Buddhist, and they only confirm that the site predates the Buddha.
Lumbini is 4.8 km (3 mi) in length and 1.6 km (1.0 mi) in width. The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built, no shops, hotels or restaurants.
It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone, the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.
There is a long water filled canal separating the western and eastern zones, with a series of brick arch bridges joining the two sides along the length. The canal is serviced by simple outboard motor boats at the north end which provides tours.
The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashokan pillar and the Mayadevi Temple, where the supposed place of birth of Buddha is located.
From early morning to early evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site.
Nipponzan Myohoji decided to build a Peace Pagoda in the park in 2001, which is visited by many different cultures and religions every day.
Because some Hindus regard the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, thousands of Hindus have begun to come here on pilgrimage during the full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh which is April–May to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi, the mother goddess of Lumbini.
Lumbini was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997.
Nepal's central bank has introduced a 100-rupee Nepali note featuring Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. The Nepal Rastra Bank said the new note would be accessible only during the Dashain, Nepal's major festival in October 2013.
It displays the portrait of Mayadevi, Gautam Buddha's mother in silver metallic on the front. The note also has a black dot which would help the blind recognise the note.
The name of the central bank in Latin script would be printed on the note along with the date of printing in both the Christian Era and the Bikram Era. The new note is being issued following a cabinet decision 27 August.
Lumbini is a 10-hour drive from Kathmandu and a 30-minute drive from Bhairahawa. The closest airport is Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa, with flights to and from Kathmandu.
The India border town of Sonauli in Maharajganj district is 1 hour drive from Lumbini and Nautanwa railway stations in India is just few kilometres away and nearest big city is Gorakhpur which is about 100km and is 4 hours drive from Lumbini.
Sights you should visit in Lumbini:
- Maya Devi Temple
- World Peace Pagoda
- Myanmar Golden Temple
- Ashoka Pillar
- Lumbini Crane Sanctuary
The nearest airport to Lumbini, that is, the Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa, is currently undergoing upgradation work. This small domestic airport is soon expected to become an international airport, with latest deadline set for 2019.
The upgradation work of the airport has also caught the eye of investors and hoteliers, and a series of new hotels are being constructed now in and around Lumbini, hoping to catch in on the expected international tourist boom once the airport upgradation work is complete.
In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a park situated in Kapilavastu Nepal. It was in Lumbini that the Buddha was born. A pillar now marks the spot of Asoka's visit to Lumbiní.
According to an inscription on the pillar, it was placed there by the people then in charge of the park to commemorate Asoka's visit and gifts. The park was previously known as Rummindei, two miles north of Bhagavanpura.
In the Sutta Nipata it is stated that the Buddha was born in a village of the Sakyans, in the Lumbineyya Janapada. The Buddha stayed in Lumbinivana during his visit to Devadaha and there preached the Devadaha Sutta.
The closest airport is at Bhairahawa which is also known as Sidhhartha Nagar 22km, where there are flights to and from Kathmandu. Other airports serving more destinations include Gorakhpur and Faizabad in India.
Bhairahawa, is the nearest airport to get Lumbini if you want to fly from Kathmandu.
The closest station is at Nautanwa, India on the Indian Railway network, but passenger trains are infrequent on this line. The alternative of taxi travel from the border crossing at Sunauli to Gorakhpur takes about two hours. From Sunauli, Siddharthanagar is only 3.5 kilometers.
Total travel time is 12 – 18 hours from Dehli and 10 – 12 hours from Kolkata or Calcutta. The Mahaparinirvan Express tourist train stops in Gorakhpur where tourists continue to Lumbini by road.
Buses ply the route between Sunauli from stop across from Hotel Yeti and Lumbini. At Lumbini alight at the main gate.
Alternatively, from the Nepal side of the border one can take a shared jeep to Bhairahawa 4 kilometers followed by a bus to Lumbini. Bhairahawa-Lumbini buses depart every 15 minutes. The last return bus departs at 5 PM.
Buses also run from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Gorakhpur and Varanasi to Sunauli. Gorakhpur to Sunauli state transport buses are reasonably frequent.
Taxis are probably the best option for reaching Lumbini from Sunauli, though you will need to know the going rate to avoid paying well over the odds. As everywhere else in the sub-continent, ensure that the fare has been agreed before heading out. This will save trouble at the destination.
Given that the sights in Lumbini are far across, bicycles and cycle rickshaws offer a good way to get around. Bicycles can be rented at hotels in Lumbini 100 NRs/day, as well as the Korean monastery provided you are staying there.
Bicycles are also available near the main gate next to the cycle rickshaw stand. Make sure of the condition of the tires, as a flat will mean pushing it back over miles. Also check the condition of the seat and the lock.
Ashokan Pillar is an inscribed pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC on the spot of Buddha's birth. The inscription, which is the oldest in Nepal, grants Lumbini a tax-free status in honor of Buddha’s birth.
Buddhist Temples, there are foundations of temples dating from the 2nd century BC to the 9th century AD, and two modern temples: one in Tibetan style, the Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Temple, which was built by the king of Mustang, and one Nepalese Theravada style building, the Lumbini Buddha Vihar, which was built by the Nepalese government and contains Tibetan-style frescoes and Newari-style Buddhist images.
Outside the main complex, there are other temples built in the styles of countries where Buddhism is the predominant religion, such as Chinese, Japanese and Burmese.
The Japan Peace Stupa, the 41m imposing structure is situated at the northern end of the gardens.
The Lumbini Museum displays artifacts from the Mauryan and Kushana periods, religious manuscripts and other items discovered at the site. Closed on Tuesdays.
The Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI) is devoted to the study of Buddhism and other religions. It houses an extensive collection of books on religion, art and architecture.
The Golden Temple of Myanmar Oldest structure and beautiful work on temple building.
Soak up the peaceful atmosphere, conducive to meditation and reflection.
Hire a bike, you can barter for any bike for 50 rupees- and bike around the temples. There are a few no bike zones, the best way to get to the majority of temples is to come out of the main tourist road and turn right onto the main road then left through the first main gate to the park.
Lots of trinkets and religious paraphernalia are for sale near the entrance to the complex, including Buddha snow globes and stickers. A couple of shops in the village near the bus stop stock more of the same plus a bit more.
There are a couple of dhabas near the bus stop in the village. They all serve the same fare: puri in the morning, curry during the day, at 20 NRs a portion. Right at the beginning of the of the one street that is Lumbini village there is a rooftop restaurant 3 Foxes.
Close to the bus stop you'll find the 365 Restaurant. A red bulding. Nice cheap restaurant with friendly staff, they serve good asian and western food. Momos Veg with Chilly just 120 Rupees.
Two small shops will sell you local spirits to take out.
Mayadevi guest house, lumbini bazzar in the main market.
New Cottage Lodge (M. Prabin Goswami), cheap lodge suitable for bag packer.
Lumbini Garden Lodge - 300-800 NRs Situated in the main bazaar, east to the Main gate at just about 1 minute walk. The Mayadevi Temple is just 10 minute walk from this hotel, so the location is very good. The rooms at Lumbini Garden Lodge are clean and well maintained.
They have big and nice rooms with attached bath and shared bath as well. Windows have mosquito nets too. They also WIFI connectivity which is fast. It is peaceful to sit in the Balcony and get the view of Lumbini Bazaar.
Korean Monastery: sleep in a dorm for 300 NRs, including 3 meals a day; No smoking outside the gates it is allowed, no music, dancing, card games, etc.
Sri-Lankan Pilgrims' Rest House, about a 15 to 20 minute walk from main site.
The Holy Birth, about a 5 minute walk from Maya Devi temple, behind Yeti Bank.
Gautam Buddha Lodge - 200-400 NRs is situated in A nearby village. The owners are rude and the rooms seem to be infested with mosquitoes, spiders and cockroaches. Far from the main entrance.
Pawan International Hotel, Main Road, Siddtha Nagar.
Hotel Nirvana, Paklihawa rd, Siddtha Nagar.
Hotel Glasgow pvt ltd Bank Road, Siddtha Nagar.
Sunflower Travellers Lodge Buddhanagar Lumbini Nepal, tel: +977 71 580-004. Sunflower Travellers Lodge has A/C and non-A/C rooms. Its ran by very polite and helpful Chinese staff and the rooms are cleaned very frequently. They have laundry service, Wi-fi, message, and vehicle booking.
The lodge's Chinese food is great and also has a western kitchen and wide selection of western deserts.
Buddha Bhoomi Guest House, In front of Lumbini east gate. All rooms have twin beds with attached bathroom, 24 hour running of hot and cold water, A/C and non-A/C rooms + Free wifi. Buddha Bhoomi Guest house also have good restaurant, fresh and hygienic foods.
Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel.
Lumbini Hotel Kasai. Opened in 2009 in the Lumbini Sacred Garden, this Japanese-managed hotel offer rooms with air-con, refrigerator, en-suite bathrooms, and TOTO washlet.
Japanese and Indian cuisine, prepared from fresh organic vegetables direct from hotel's garden, are served in the restaurant. Airport shuttles are available.
Always do the following:
- Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.
- Walk or go about or around the stupas and other sacred objects in a clockwise direction.
- Preserve the peace and tranquillity.
- Do not climb onto statues or other sacred objects.
Tourist Busses to Pokhara are for 700 Rupees available. You can buy them directly at the Bus stop or in your hotel.
There is one Tourist Bus to Kathmandu, with A.C for 1200 Rupee.
Tourism Observer
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