The Birth of Buddha: A Historical Overview

On a full moon day in May, 623 BC, Maya Devi was journeying through the Lumbini Garden in southwestern Nepal. She bathed in a pond and, while standing beneath a tree holding a branch, gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. Born into the royal Shakya dynasty, Siddhartha was destined to be king. However, at the age of 29, he renounced his royal life. At 40, he attained enlightenment, understanding the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, becoming the Buddha. For forty years, he taught the principles of Buddhism before passing away in Kushinagar, India.

Lumbini: A Town Steeped in History

Lumbini, a small town in southern Nepal, is located 300 km west of Kathmandu, the capital city. This town is rich in religious and archaeological sites, with a history spanning at least 2,600 years.

Lumbini Master Plan: A Vision for the Future

In 1978, the Lumbini Master Plan, designed by Professor Kenzo Tange of Japan, was approved by the Government of Nepal. Construction under this plan is ongoing. Recently, the Nepal government proposed building a railway link to connect Lumbini with Tibet, while the Indian government has agreed to extend railways from Gorakhpur to Lumbini.

Exploring Lumbini: A Traveler’s Guide

Begin Your Tour at Lumbini Museum

Start your visit at the Lumbini Museum, where you can see ancient coins, religious manuscripts, and stone and metal sculptures. Adjacent to the museum is the Lumbini International Research Institute, which houses over 30,000 books on religion, philosophy, art, and architecture. The Nepal government is planning to establish a Buddhist University in Lumbini.

Discover the Monastic Zones

Crossing the Friendship Bridge, you will enter the Monastic Zones. The eastern zone has 10 monasteries, and the western zone has 29, with some still under construction.

Theravada Monastic Zone

In the Theravada Monastic Zone, you’ll find monasteries built by the governments of Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and several Indian Buddhist societies. The Nepal Vipassana Centre, where you can learn meditation techniques taught by the Buddha, is also located here.

After exploring the Theravada Monastic Zone, you can visit the Lumbini Sacred Garden, where the Eternal Peace Flame is situated.

Lumbini Sacred Garden

The Lumbini Sacred Garden is designed as a center of spirituality and peace, spreading the Buddha’s message of Universal Brotherhood and Non-violence. It features monuments of religious and archaeological significance.

Maya Devi Temple

Restored and reopened in 2003, the Maya Devi Temple contains an ancient temple dating back to the 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD. Inside, you can see the Buddha Nativity Sculpture and the Marker Stone.

The Buddha Nativity Sculpture

This sculpture depicts the birth of Siddhartha Gautama as described in Buddhist texts, with Maya Devi clutching a tree branch, supported by her sister Prajapati Gautami, and the newborn Siddhartha standing on a lotus, with Hindu gods Brahma and Indra bowing to him.

The Marker Stone

Discovered in 1996 during the excavation of the Maya Devi Temple, the Marker Stone marks the exact birthplace of the Buddha. It is covered by bulletproof glass for protection.

Pushkarini Pond

Near the Maya Devi Temple is the Pushkarini Pond, where Maya Devi bathed before giving birth and where Siddhartha Gautama received his first purification bath.

Ashokan Pillar

Erected by the Indian King Ashoka during his visit to Lumbini in 249 BC, the Ashokan Pillar is a significant historical marker. The inscription on the pillar reads, “Shakya Muni Buddha was born here.”

Ruins and Relics

Around the Maya Devi Temple and Pushkarini Pond, you can see the ruins of ancient monasteries and stupas dating back to the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD. There are also monasteries dedicated to Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, built in 1953 and 1968, respectively.

Mahayana Monastic Zone

Exiting from the Eternal Peace Flame and walking through the western lane, you will come across the Mahayana Monastic Zone. This zone features monasteries and meditation centers built by various countries, including Nepal, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, France, and Austria.

Lumbini-Buddhist Circuit Tour: Explore Beyond Lumbini

Tilaurakot

Tilaurakot, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kapilvastu, was where Siddhartha Gautama spent his early years. After enlightenment, he returned here several times. In Tilaurakot, you can see the ruins of King Suddhodhana’s palace and stupas dedicated to Buddha’s parents. The Kapilvastu Museum showcases coins, pottery, and terracotta figures discovered during excavations.

Location: 27 km west of Lumbini.

Devdha

Devdha, the maternal home of Maya Devi, Prajapati Gautami, and Yashodhara, was where Siddhartha Gautama spent his childhood. He visited this place seven years after his enlightenment.

Location: 54 km east of Lumbini.

Ramagrama

Ramagrama houses a stupa containing Buddha’s relics, known as Astha Dhatu. King Ashoka visited this site but was not permitted to open the stupa to divide the relics.

Location: 40 minutes’ drive from Devdha.

Kudan

In Kudan, King Suddhodhana met his son Buddha for the first time after his enlightenment. The site contains ruins of monasteries and stupas.

Location: 4.5 km south of Tilaurakot.

Gotihawa

Believed to be the birthplace and Nirvana site of Krakuchanda Buddha, Gotihawa features an Ashokan Pillar and ruins of ancient monasteries and stupas.

Location: 4.33 km from Kudan.

Niglihawa

Niglihawa is thought to be the birthplace of Kanakmuni Buddha. An Ashokan Pillar here was discovered in 1895.

Location: 20 minutes’ drive from Tilaurakot.

Sagarhawa

Identified as the massacre site of Kapilvastu’s people by King Virudhaka, Sagarhawa has an ancient pond called Lumbi Sagar.

Location: 15.31 km from Tilaurakot.

Village Tour: Experience Rural Life Around Lumbini

Take a bicycle, rickshaw, or bullock cart ride, or simply walk through the villages around Lumbini. These tours offer cultural sightseeing and interactions with local people. The villages feature lakes, ponds, and wetlands, perfect for bird watching. Local handicrafts and clay statuettes are available, providing a way to support the villagers’ livelihood.

Key Villages to Visit:

• New Lumbini Village: Crane Sanctuary, Wetland Garden, World Peace Stupa, and accommodation options.
• Ekala Village: Bird watching, cultural sightseeing, Hindu temples, and traditional mud houses.
• Tenuhawa Village: Crane Sanctuary, Muslim settlements, and handicraft markets.
• Lumbini Adarsha Village: Archaeological sites dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries.
• Madhuvani Village: Cultural sightseeing, bird watching, Hindu temples, views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges, and local handicrafts.

Conclusion

Lumbini offers a unique blend of historical, religious, and cultural experiences. From exploring ancient ruins and sacred sites to engaging with local communities, a visit to Lumbini is an enriching journey into the heart of Buddhism and Nepalese heritage.