Lumbini Travel Guide

Lumbini Travel Guide
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This is the ultimate Lumbini travel guide and will give you all the information you need to know about the world-famous Birthplace of Buddha. One of the most sacred places in the world for Buddhists, Lumbini is a city located in the Terai region of southern Nepal.

Lumbini draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year and has now become a UNESCO world heritage site. Beyond the birthplace, there are also some awesome Buddhist temples and monasteries to visit that have been donated from all over the world!.

I’d say that if you’re not really into your temples or Buddhism in any way, this may not be an enjoyable place to spend your time. But, if you’re interested
in discovering some Buddhist culture, learning a bit about the history of Buddhism, and want to see some pretty architecture, it’s definitely worth a night here.

Lumbini features some of the most brilliant temples and monasteries that can be observed in the country. While there are a lot of inscriptions and evidences that point towards the historical aspect of Lumbini, the Ashoka pillar discovered in 1896 by Nepali archaeologists reinforced the link between the birth of Buddha and the town of Lumbini, and made it one of the top tourism spots in the country.

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Buddhist Tour

Legend has it that upon his birth, Gautam Buddha took his life’s first seven steps in the north direction, and declared that this would be his last rebirth. While people may have varying belief systems about his religion, it cannot be denied that the birth and enlightenment of Buddha changed the religious history of the world to a great extent. Compiled below is a brief travel guide to plan out your next vacation to Lumbini.

Things to do in Lumbini

The top sightseeing places in Lumbini are Maya Devi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Lumbini, Mayadevi Pond, Ashoka Pillar, Lumbini, World Peace Pagoda Lumbini, Lumbini Museum. here are the list of things to do in Lumbini.

Maya Devi Temple Lumbini

Goddess Maya is the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. She is a three-headed and four-armed deity who is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. Emperor Asoka during his visit to Lumbini in 249 century BC, built a platform using the burnt bricks to safeguard the Marker Stone and the Nativity Tree under which Mayadevi had given birth to Prince Siddhartha.

Visit the Sacred Garden

The most important site in Lumbini is the exact birth spot of Buddha, which is located within the grounds of the Maya Devi Temple. The Sacred Garden is an archaeological conservation area that houses the Maya Devi Temple, along with a number of other structures significant to Buddhism and its devotees. The Ashoka Pillar is also an important monument in the complex, apart from some excavated remains of early monasteries and stupas.

Lumbini Monastic Site

The Monastic Site is a sacred zone that has been demarcated to house the numerous monasteries and temples donated to Lumbini from various Buddhist countries around the world. Some of the most amazing architecture can be observed in the Myanmar Golden Temple, the Cambodian Monastery and the Thai Buddhist Monastery. All other types of commercial buildings like hotels, restaurants or cafes are prohibited from being built in this religious sanctuary.

Boating in Central Canal

The Central Canal is a water body around 1.3 km in length that separates the Sacred Garden in the south from the location of the World Peace Pagoda in the north. There are boating options available at this canal with drivers present at both ends; one can choose to boat along the length of the canal while some even like to stroll along the edges on a pleasant day. The Eternal Peace Flame is also located at one end of the canal that has been burning since 1986 to commemorate the International Year of Peace.

Explore Lumbini Museum

The Lumbini Museum is an institution dedicated to the life of Buddha. It is home to artefacts, photos and sculptures from Buddhist countries around the world, including some ancient Buddhist manuscripts. It is the perfect place to catch a glimpse into the rise of Buddhism in the world and how it has shaped the present day religious scenario as we know it.

Climb to the Top of World Peace Pagoda

A gleaming white building with a large central dome is essentially what makes the World Peace Pagoda. Built by the Japanese as a symbol of peace, its highlight is the set of Buddha statues placed inside, in various positions he assumed throughout the extent of his life.

Meditate

It is impossible to visit Lumbini and not explore the possibility of meditation. While the Bodhi Tree in the Maya Devi Temple complex is a popular spot to contemplate and reflect, there are also a number of meditation centres around the city that offer programs with Buddhist monks to help you understand the deeper aspects of meditation.

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