Lumbeni one of the
sacred place, one of famouse place, one of the wolrd heritage site, one of
tourism site, one of God’s place, one of the hsitorical place is in Nepal. The “God
buddha” aslo called “light of the asia”, symbol of truth,symbol of non-voilence,
symbol of peace is aslo born in this
place. So this place is well known in the world. Thousands of tourist or
prigrim come here to visit Lumbeni. It is one the most peacefull and sacred
place in the world.
The
Lumbini garden located in the Rupandehi district of Lumbini Zone is considered
as a highly sacred site. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the messenger
of peace, is one of the holiest places on the earth. Lord Buddha's mother,
Shakya Queen Mayavati, gave birth to prince Gautam inside the beautiul Lumbini
garden in 623 B.C. She was on her way from from her parents' home at Devdaha to
her husband's home at Taulihawa. The holy Lumbini is the most sacred pilgrimage
site for the millions of Buddhists throughout the world. Most of the tourists
arriving in Nepal visit Lumbini characterized by peaceful environment and the
numerous temples and monasteries constructed by various countries. Lumbini is a
suitable place to understand the historical background of Buddhism as well as
the life history of Lord Buddha. The temple dedicated to Mayadevi is the main
attaraction of Lumbini. Located beside the temple are the holy Pushkirini Lake
and the Ashoka Pillar erected by emperor Ashok of Magadh, India to mark the birthplace
of Lord Buddha.
The Mayadevi Temple
The Mayadevi Temple, the Birth Marker
Stone, the Ashok Pillar, the Idol of Myadevi, the holy Pushkirini Lake, the
Eternal Peace Flame and the numerous huge monasteries constructed by different
countries are the major attaractions of Lumbini. Lumbini has been listed in the
UNESCO'S World Heritage Sites in 1997 AD due to its religious importance and
historical background. Lumbini is located 22 km west from Bhairahawa's
Siddharthanagar. And at a distance of 300 km from Kathmandu and 197 km from
Pokhara. Likewise, there is also the choice of flight from Kathmandu to
Bhairahawa airport. Night and Day buses to Lumbini are found at Kathmandu's
Kalanki and New Buspark. Different types of accomodation ranging from ordinary
lodges to luxurious hotels are available.The Mayadevi Temple is the most
important temple among the ancient heritages located within the Lumbini garden.
The temple houses ancient idol of Mayadevi, the Birth Mrker Stone and the ruins
from 3rd century BC to 7th century BC. The interior of the temple has a
heavenly peaceful environment that brings to life the clairvoyance from ancient
time. Tourists love to take photographs of the treasure trove of the ancient
artifacts. It takes 10-15 minutes on foot and 5 minutes by rickshaw to reach
the Mayadevi temple from the main entrance of Lumbini.
Ashok Pillar
The Ashok Pillar located within the
Lumbini garden is regarded as an important historical heritage. Famous Mourya
emperor Ashok of Magadh in India had
ordered the pillar to be erected in 249 BC while on a pilgrimage following the
advice of his spritual teacher Upagupta. Emperor Ashok had erected the pillar
along with a stone tablet that has incription saying "Shakyamuni Buddha
was born here". The pillar and the inscription stand as a testament of
Lumbini being the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Ashok Pillar has proven to the
world that Lord Buddha was born in Nepal. The Pillar stands adjacent to the
Mayadevi Temple.
Holy Pushkirini
Lake
Prior to giving birth to Lord Buddha,
his mother Mayadevi had taken a bath in the sacred Pushkirini Lake situated
near the Ashok Pillar to the south.The ancient Lake is a major attaraction for
tourists. It is traditionally believed that Lord Buddha was bathed with the
water from the same lake after his birth.
Birth Marker
Stone
The Stone Marker of Lord Buddha's birth
place is preserved within the Mayadevi Temple enclosed in a glass box. The
marker stone precisely marks the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The marker stone
was unearthed in 1996 AD during an archeological excavation.
Lumbini Museum
A museum has also been established at
the Lumbini garden to preserve the historical artifacts like clothes, coins,
idols and other items related to Buddhism
unearthened during excavations carried out arround Lumbini in diferent
times. Tourists can view these artifacts in the museum for study and research.
The museum is frequently visited by those seeking information about Buddha. The
museum is at a 10-15 minutes walking distance from the Eternal Peace Flame.
Idol Of
Mayadevi
The 3 feet tall idol of Mayadevi
carved on a stone tablet is estimated to have been originated in the 4th
century.The idol is located in the sanctum of the Mayadevi Temple. The carved
figures have been obscured. The idol is also known as the Birth idol as it
depicts the birth of Lord Buddha. The idol shows Mayadevi leaning to tree while
giving birth and there are two heavenly messengers waiting to receive Buddha.
Figure of infant Buddha is at the centre of the idol.
World Peace
Stupa
The World Peace Stupa was constructed
at Lumbini to spread the message of peace, friendship and goodwill in the world
and to raise awareness to keep the earth pure and clean. The 41.5 m tall stupa
is one of the major attaraction of Lumbini. The stupa was constructed as part
of the campaign by Japanese Buddhist preacher Fujing to construct World Peace
Stupas in different parts of world. It takes 40-50 minute on foot and 25 minues
on rickshaw to reach the World Peace Stupa from the Mayadevi Temple. Very few tourists
arriving at Lumbini miss a visit to the World Peace Stupa. The heavenly serene
atmosphere arround the stupa and the attaractive pieces of art that adorn the
Stupa entice the visitors.
World
Peace Flame
The eternal World Peace Flame is a
major attaraction of the Lumbini garden located at the centre of the garden.
Tourists flock to observe the flame that is kept glowing uninterrupted 24 hours
a day. The flame was lighted on 1st November, 1986 AD by the then Prince Gyanendra
Shah. The flame that represents peace and fraternity in the world was brought
from the United States of America as part of the celebration of the
International Peace Year. The eternal flame can be reached at the end of a 10
minutes walk from the Mayadevi Temple.
Tilaurakot
Tilaurakot was the capital of the
ancient Kapilvastu state of the Shakya
dynasty. The site is important both historically and religiously.
Siddartha Gautam had spent 29 years of his early life here. The archeologically
important ruins of the eastern and western gates of the town aging between 2nd
to 4th century BC can still be seen. Tilaurakot is located 25 km west of
Lumbini. There is a road to Taulihawa from Lumbini's Parsha, a 5 km rickshaw
ride from Taulihawa will take to Tilaurakot. There is, however, no facility of
accomodation in Tilaurakot. Kudan, Niglihawa, Gotihawa, Sangrahawa, Devdaha are
other important sites associated with Siddartha Gautam's life.
Kudan
There are many historical sites
arround Lumbini and Kapilvastu
associated with the life of Lord Buddha. Kudan is also one of such
sites. This is the place where, according to a popular belief, Lord Buddha met
his father King Shuddhodan when he returned after attainment of Enlightenment.
The place is located about 5 km south of Tilaurakot.
Devdaha
Devdaha the birthplace of Lord
Buddha's mother Mayadevi and consort Yasodhara is located at Rupandehi
district. The region 56 km east of Lumbini was the capital of the Koliya
rulers. There is a popular belief that the Lord Buddha had visited the place 7
years after attaining enlightenment. Most tourists visiting Lumbini also visit
Devdaha.
Sangrahawa
The Sangrahawa region that witnessed
the massacre of thousands of Shakyas in
the ancient time is an important historical site of Kapilvastu district. The
region represents a dark chapter of the history. The site is littered with
ancient ruins and there is also a pond nearby. Sangrahawa is located 12 km
north of Taulihawa.
