Lumbini is the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautam who later became Lord Buddha. It is believed that he took his first seven steps right after birth and uttered an epoch-making message to the suffering humanity. This happened in a beautiful sal grove, which is now the focal point of the Lumbini Garden area.
As a tradition that is still prevalent in the Indian subcontinent Maya Devi, the queen of Shakya King Suddhodhana of Kapilvastu, was passing through the Lumbini Garden area on the way to her father’s home in Devdaha for delivery. On the day of ‘Vaisakha Poornima’ (Full Moon Day of May 623 B.C.), she had labour pains and took a bath in Pushkarini (the Sacred Pond). Soon after, she took the support of a tree branch and gave birth to Crown Prince Siddhartha.
The Lumbini Garden covers an area of three square miles and encompasses three zones. Each zone covers one square mile connected with walkways and a canal and evokes an atmosphere of spirituality, peace, universal brotherhood, and non-violence consistent with Lord Buddha's message to the world.
Apart from the Maya Devi temple, there are many monasteries belonging to different sects of Buddhism representing various countries present in the monastic zone which is separated by a highway. It is also famous for birdwatching, especially cranes and other migratory birds. More than 250 species of birds can be seen near World Peace Stupa. The Jagadishpur Tal reservoir is listed as a RAMSAR site. It is the best place to watch migratory birds that come from Siberia in the winters.
The Maya Devi Temple is the heart of all monuments at this holy site. The temple complex bears testimony to several phases of construction over the centuries. It was fully restored and reopened in 2003 during the celebration of the 2,547th auspicious birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Inside the temple, there are remains of structures of the early Maya Devi Temple that dates back from the 3rd century BC to the 7th century A.D. The upper floor remains open for meditation.
The sculpture at the temple depicts Queen Maya Devi grasping a tree branch with her right hand while giving birth to Siddhartha Gautama, supported by Queen Prajapati Gautami, her sister Prajapati. To the far right are the figures of Brahma and Indra, wearing conical crowns, standing in devotion before the queen to receive the pine child, as narrated by Buddhist literature. At the bottom of the panes is the newly born Prince Siddhartha Gautam with a halo around his head standing upright on a lotus pedestal with two celestial figures receiving him.
Ashokan Pillar erected by Indian Emperor Ashoka around 249 B.C. near Maya Devi Temple is testimony of the exact location of the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha. This testimony has been endorsed by Chinese scholars who visited Lumbini in the 5th and 7th centuries A.D. It was later reconfirmed by various scholars during the course of different periods.
Buddha Jayanti is the biggest festival that is observed in Lumbini.
Accessibility
There are many options to reach Lumbini. It takes 35 minutes by flight to reach the newly built Gautam Buddha International Airport from Kathmandu. Lumbini is 20 km away from Bhairahawa, and it takes half an hour to reach there by car or bus. Tourists can enter Bhairahawa through Sunauli from India.
Accommodation
There are good accommodation facilities around Lumbini Garden ranging from budget to five-star accommodation.
Going around
Boat service is available from the entrance of the bus park to Eternal Peace Flame on the way to Maya Devi Temple. E-rickshaws can be hired to visit different places within the garden.
Entrance Fee and camera fee
The entrance fee is applied to all visitors except for residents. There are fees applicable for cameras and video cameras. Shoes are not allowed inside the temple.
