Lumbini Nepal - The Birth Place of Buddha

  • Hemanta Budhathoki
  • Last Updated on Mar 19, 2024

Table of Contents

Lumbini, The birthplace of Buddha is in southern Nepal. Mayadevi gave birth to Gautama Buddha in 623 BC who achieved enlightenment and became Lord Buddha. The place is one of the many magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha. Lumbini is about 260 kilometers from Kathmandu and 169 kilometers from Pokhara, 1-hour drive to Nepal India border Sunauli and 4 hours driving to Gorakhpur railway station. Only one airport at Bhairahawa is 25 kilometers far from Lumbini. You can plan to visit Lumbini with your Nepal treks tours plan. 

The place to visit in Lumbini

Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, Bodhi Tree, and Holy Pond  
Maya Devi Temple is the main spiritual hub in Lumbini. It is the place Queen May Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. Near the temple, Ashoka Pillar, Ancient ruins of Stupas, Bodhi tree decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and sacred pond beside the temple which is believed to be bathed by May Devi before giving birth and Buddha was taken purification bath after the birth.

                                                                                                   Mayadevi temple and Ashoka pillar

Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihar
This temple or Monastery inside the holy Lumbini garden near Maya Devi temple is the residence of about 60 monks who conduct Tara Puja every day. This is Tibetan style Gompa built by His Eminence Chogya Trichen Ringboche and Raja from Mustang.

Lumbini Museum
Place at the northern end of the compound, the Lumbini museum is devoted to the life of Buddha with a nice collection of artifacts and photos from Buddhist sites around the world. An excellent model of the master plan of the Lumbini development zone is also displayed inside this museum.  

World Peace Pagoda
World peace Pagoda located within the 3-kilometer monastic area of the Lumbini garden. It is made by Japanese Buddhists for promoting non-violence in the world. It is like the impressive white pagoda. A walk around the stupa gives a panoramic view of Lumbini. Several golden Buddha statues have placed as a position of his life from birth till the end.

Eternal peace flam
Eternal peace flam at Lumbini burns continuously. It was created in 1986 to commemorate the International Year of Peace. It symbolizes the undying effort to create peace and harmony in the world.   

Different monastery or temple built by different Buddhist countries
In the 2 part of Monastic Zone, divided into Mahayana and Theravada zones, stand ornate temples, stupas, and monasteries built with funds from Buddhist sources in many different countries. Each is unique, most reflecting the architecture of the parent country. Every temple and monasteries have the most elaborate roof decorations of any of the sites. Meticulously painting the smallest details of multicolored murals and door panels is fascinating. Some are completed, many still under construction, and some just beginning to be built.

  • Golden Lotus stupa built by German
  • Chinese temple & monastery complex
  • Korean Temple with their respectful accommodation facility
  • Cambodian temple
  • Myanmar Golden Temple
  • Mahabodhi Society Temple India
  • Thai Monastery
  • Vietnamese monastery. The traditional Vietnamese architectural buildings and pagoda which is 25 meters high is magnificent and picturesque. It is near its completion
  • Burmese Swedagoan pagoda
  • Nepalese temple built by International Bhikshuni Association
  • Sri Lankan Temple 

Kapilbastu Tilaurakot – Childhood home of Gautama Buddha
Kapilavastu was an ancient city that was the capital of Shakya, The parents of Gautama Buddha King Suddhodana and Queen Maya Devi. Prince Siddhartha Gautama spends his life until his age 29th. The site contains archaeological ruins of the palace. It is about 59 kilometers from Lumbini. 

With all these attractions of Lumbini, the destination is visited by thousands of Buddhists and Hindu devotees from all around the world along with historians and tourists interested in Buddhist religion and culture. Apart from the structures, the Lumbini area is also famous for the wide array of bird species found in its farmland and reservoirs that include the Sarus crane, Indian spotted eagle, gyps, owls, and other endangered animals too.  People interested in trekking can also take the Lumbini circuit tour to visit the 64 scattered archaeological sites in the area.

Village Tour near Lumbini: The trip to the villages in the surrounding areas also lets one experience and understand the lifestyles of the diverse ethnic people as one goes to the villages and indulges in the everyday lives, culture, and customs of the warm and friendly people. The trip to Lumbini is a complete package combines nature with the culture and religion and warm hospitality of the people making it a truly peaceful and spiritual experience.

How to reach Lumbini

from Kathmandu: Lumbini is about 260 kilometers from Kathmandu. It takes 8 to 9 hours driving. Regular tourist buses are available early in the morning. Local buses from Gongabu Bus Park depart in the morning or evening for a night drive to reach the next day morning. The second option is to take a flight to Bhairahawa airport and a short drive to Lumbini. There are more than 10 flights from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa and back. Lumbini is also worth visiting as a Day tour from Kathmandu.     
From Pokhara: From Pokhara Tourist bus is available, local bus and flight too. it is 170 kilometer takes about 6/7 hours to drive from Pokhara to Lumbini. You also can choose our Lumbini tour from Pokhara.   
From the Indian Nepal border: The nearest border from Lumbini is the Sunauli border between Nepal and India. It is about 57 kilometers.
From Chitawan National Park is about 135 kilometers. Local transportation or private transportation is available.

Email us ([email protected]) to organize your Lumbini tour as per your timeframe, interest, and budget. 

Hemanta Budhathoki

Hemanta Budhathoki

Hemanta Budhathoki is team leader of Nepal Highland Trekking and travel company. 

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