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Lumbini, Nepal |
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Information about Lumbini
Lumbini, a small town in the Terai region is situated
south of the foothills of the Churia Range. Terai is the
granary of Nepal and also the home to Royal Chitwan
Park. Lumbini is only a few kilometers across the Indian
border in Nepal. Lumbini is the most important site for
the followers of Lord Budha and those interested in
Buddhism. Lumbini is now being developed as a major
place of pilgrimage with the assistance of United
Nations. There are also green lawns and gardens around
this pilgrimage site. The Muslims constitute almost half
the population of Lumbini although their population in
the whole of Nepal is negligible. |
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History of Lumbini
The Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, around 544 BC. His father
was the ruler of a small State in this area. His mother was on
her way to her father’s house when he was born at a small
place where she had halted. Emperor Ashoka, one of India’s
greatest kings who did the most to spread Buddhism in the
world, visited Lumbini in 259 BC to worship at the place where
the Buddha was born. In order to identify the place with Lord
Buddha, he erected a giant pillar. This pillar is the only
proof that Lord Buddha was born here. There is an inscription
in the Brahmi language which declares that he made the village
free of taxes and a recipient of wealth. The excavation work
which has been undertaken recently has unearthed two Chaityas
belonging to the 3rd century BC, but the Chinese traveler
Huien Tsang who later visited the place had seen these
buildings and described them in the 4th century AD. The
Chaityas disappeared during the time in the absence of
patronage.
Tourist Attractions in Lumbini
The various tourist attractions in Lumbini are the Maya Devi
temple, Pushkarani and the Tibetan monastery. |
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Maya
Devi Temple
The Maya Devi Temple belongs to the Maya Devi, the
mother of Lord Buddha. This temple was built in the 19th
century and sacred shrine of both the Buddhists and
Hindus. This temple has a stone bas-relief of the
Buddha's birth scene and is believed to have been built
over an earlier 5th century temple which has replaced
the Ashoka temple.
Pushkarani
The Pushkarani is the sacred pool where the Maya Devi,
the Lord Buddha's mother take a bath before giving birth
to the Lord Buddha. It is also the place where the
Gautama was given his ritual purification. |
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Tibetan monastery
The Tibetan monastery was built in 1975. This monastery
has the old murals, interesting paintings on its walls
and a large bronze image of the Buddha. The another
Buddhist monastery is modern and contains a large thangka and carved wooden gate. This monastery has a
white Buddha image donated by the Burmese.
How to reach here
By Air:
The nearest airport is located at Bhairava, only 22 kms.
from Lumbini. Lumbini is also located close to
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Siddharthanagar which has regular flights from Kathmandu.
By Road:
Lumbini is also connected by road with Bhairava, Pokhara and
Kathmandu via Narayanghat. |
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Car Rental |
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