Lumbini
Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a revered pilgrimage destination in Buddhism and holds significance for Hindus who see Buddha as a manifestation of Vishnu.
| Name: | Lumbini |
| Country / District: | Nepal , Rupandehi |
| Full Address: | Rupendehi, Western Nepal |
| Altitude: | 150 meters |
| Special Attraction: | Key attractions of Lumbini include<br /> <br /> Mayadevi Temple: The sacred temple marking the exact birthplace of Lord Buddha.<br /> <br /> Sacred Garden: A peaceful garden surrounding the Mayadevi Temple, featuring beautiful landscaping and serene atmosphere.<br /> <br /> Ashoka Pillar: An ancient pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, bearing inscriptions about the birth of Lord Buddha.<br /> <br /> Monasteries: Numerous monasteries constructed by different Buddhist communities from around the world, representing various architectural styles and traditions.<br /> <br /> Lumbini Museum: A museum showcasing artifacts and exhibits related to Buddhism, providing insights into the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.<br /> <br /> Bodhi Tree: A descendant of the original Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, offering a place for meditation and contemplation.<br /> Peace Pagoda: A towering white pagoda built by the Japanese Buddhist community, symbolizing peace and harmony.<br /> <br /> These key attractions make Lumbini a significant pilgrimage site and a center for Buddhist study, meditation, and cultural exchange |
Lumbini is one of the four main pilgrimage sites in Buddhism and an important place for those Hindus who consider Buddha one of the many manifestations of the god Vishnu. The place is also defined as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The holy site of Lumbini runs ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashoka pillar, and the Mayadevi temple. Maya Devi Temple is the most important Buddhist temple in Nepal considered as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha "Light of Asia". Visitors will perform chanting and meditation at this site. The birthplace of Buddha has number of older temples, including the Mayadevi Temple, and various new temples, founded by Buddhist organizations. There is an image depicting his birth inside. The current whitewashed temple was built to protect the older temple under it. There’s a small area looking down into the dugout areas where Buddha was born. There’s a small glass panel with some faded painting. Several monuments, monasteries, museums, and the Lumbini International Research Institute are also located in this holy site. The Holy Pond beside the temple, where Maya Devi took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath. Buddha was born while Maya Devi was traveling to her father's kingdom to give birth. It is said that she gave birth painlessly when the Buddha was born he immediately spoke and then took seven steps north and a lotus flower sprang forth with each step. Most of the Buddha's miracles are seen in Buddhism as being the result of extraordinary supernatural abilities gained through advanced meditation, rather than miraculous powers. Many of the Buddha's followers, as well as some non-Buddhist hermits and yogis who attained high meditative states, also had some of these same abilities. Because some Hindus regard the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, thousands of Hindus come here during the full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh (April–May) to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi, the mother goddess of Lumbini.
