TOUR OF LUMBINI

‘a pilgrimage and holy tour to Lord Buddha’s birth place ‘Light of Asia’

Tour of Lumbini, which fascinates you visiting ancient heritage and historical sites of great wonders, where Lord Buddha was born in this holy spot of Lumbini, located Far South West from Kathmandu. Tour of Lumbini for interested people, where a scenic flight takes you to Bhairawa known as Gautam Buddha airport, during flight grand panorama of Himalayan peaks range till it lands. From here a short interesting flight reaches you to the hotel and resorts where our guide will brief you with the program of the tour around Lumbini, the birth site of Lord Buddha, famously known as ‘Light of Asia’.

Next day starting the tour for few hours around Lumbini, the name comes from ancient Sanskrit for “the lovely”, a Buddhist pilgrimage site located at the Nepalese town of Kapilavastu, district Rupandehi. Lumbini is one of four Buddhist pilgrimage sites based on major events in the life of Gautama Buddha. Interestingly, all of the events occurred under trees. The other three sites are in India: Bodh Gaya(enlightenment), Sarnath (first preaching and discourse), and Kushinagar(death).

History

Lumbini is the traditional birthplace of Gautama Buddha,the founder of Buddhism, who was born in the 7th or 6th century BC. According to Buddhist tradition, Maya Devi (or Mayadevi) gave birth to the Buddha on her way to her parent’s home in Devadaha in the month of May in the year 642 BC. Feeling the onset of labor pains, she grabbed hold of the branches of a shade tree and gave birth to Siddharta Gautama, the future Buddha.

The Buddha is said to have announced, “This is my final rebirth” as he entered the world. Buddhist tradition also has it that he walked immediately after his birth and took seven steps, under each of which a lotus flower bloomed. In 249 BC, the Buddhist convert Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini and constructed four stupas and a stone pillar.

Ashoka’s Pillar bears an inscription that translates as: “King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan [“blessed one”] having been born here. Lumbini village was taxed reduced and entitled to the eight part (only)”.Monasteries and temples were built at Lumbini until the 9th century, but Buddhism declined in the area after the arrival of Islam and later Hinduism. All that remained was a sculpture, revered by local women as a fertility symbol. The garden of the Buddha’s birth was lost for a thousand years.

The site was rediscovered in 1895,when a German archaeologist came upon Ashoka’s Pillar, identified by its inscription. Records made by the Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian were also used in the process of identifyingthis religiously acclaimed site. Lumbini was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

What to See

Lumbini lies in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. The site is a large garden with a grove of pipal trees. The area around Lumbini is entirely Hindu, but many Buddhist temples and shrines from various nations are scattered around the holy site itself. The most important temple at Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, which enshrines the traditional site of the Buddha’s birth.

The current temple stands on the site of earlier temples and stupas, including the stupa built by Ashoka. The modern temple consists mainly of simple white building that protects ancient ruins, with the exact spot of the Buddha’s birth identified. The delicate sandstone sculptures discovered here are now in the National Museum in Kathmandu. On the south side of the temple a sacred pool, where Maya Devi bathed before giving birth, and where the newborn Buddha was washed by two dragons. The Maha Devi temple is surrounded by the brick foundations of ancient temples and monasteries. All around Lumbini, long lines of colorful prayer flags are strung between trees. They carry prayers and mantras heavenward as they flap on the breeze.

The other main sight of interest at Lumbini is Ashoka’s Pillar,near the temple. It is protected by a small fence, which is decorated with prayer flags and banners from the faithful. Around the courtyard containing the pillar are bowls for incense sticks, and there is room to sit in front of the pillar for contemplation. After the holy tour return back to hotel for refreshment with time to roam around local village with similar to Indian culture, due to its closeness to India border, next day an early flight brings you back at Kathmandu after an interesting Tour of Lumbini.

Trip at a Glance

Tour Grade: Leisure with short drives and walks

Tour Areas: Far South West Nepal.

People & Culture: Mixed Nepalese races with Tharu tribe of both Hindu and Buddhism religion with interesting old traditional life with colorful cultures, with other hill people of Nepal of varied culture and custom. Lumbini

Elevation: From 400 m to 550 m high.

Tour Durations: For three full days or more

Tour Hours: From minimum 03 hrs to maximum 05 hrs.

Seasons: Nearly all seasons except monsoon times of July to August wet months, october to January with clear blue sky.

By Air: 50minutes and 45 minutes drive to hotel in Lumbini.

By surface: 07 hrs drive to Lumbini.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Drive to Lumbini

Day 02: Lumbinin

Day 03: Drive back to Kathmandu