Himalayas Travel Guide
Tibet Nepal & Bhutan Tours and Travel Operator

Today:
Lumbini, Birth Place of Buddha
Lumbini, which is located about 28kms west of Bhairahwa in the western tarai, Nepal, is the birthplace of Lord Buddha who was born in 623BC. Lumbini has been inscribed in the World Heritage list in 1997 as the second World Cultural Heritage site of Nepal. The birth of Lord Buddha has made this place world famous Pilgrimage site for the Buddhists living all over the world. This place has also been a place of veneration for all the peace seekers of the world. Emperor Ashoka of India in 249BC came here to pay homage and erected an inscribed stone pillar near the spot where Lord was born. This has been stated in the inscription and is the first historical evidence of its kind ever found in the country. In course of time, the temple of Mayadevi was constructed at the place where the Lord was born. An image of Mayadevi also stands here, which is known as the "Nativity Sculpture". A conglomerate stone located deep in the sanctum sanctorum indicates the exact spot where the Lord was born. It is said that Maya Devi took a bath in the nearby pool, popularly known as "Sakya Pushkarini", just before giving birth to the Lord, making it more holy and sacred. This holy site is surrounded by a row of stupas and other archaeological ruins datable to 3rd/4th century BC