In Rupandehi District in Nepal is a pilgrimage site for The Buddhists known as Lumbini. According to the Buddhist, Gautama Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC. The place is believed to a sacred land for followers of Buddhism. Gautama was thought to have received Enlightenment around 528 BC in the same place. Situated to the east of Kapilavastu and Devadaha’s southwest, Lumbini is known today after discovering a pillar in 1896. The inscriptions on the pillar highlighted Buddha and his contributions and also about King Ashoka’s visit to this place. Ashoka, after the war of Kalinga, was devastated by the violence and converted to Buddhism. As per the Sutta Nipata, Buddha was born in Lumbineyya Janapada in the village of Sakyans.
Today, Lumbini’s sacred land has the ruins of a monastery, a holy tree, the pillar of Ashoka, and a sacred Mahadevi temple, which was considered the site for Buddha’s birth. There is a Pond where Buddha’s mother took dips in water before giving birth to Buddha. The place has beautiful monasteries built by countries like China, Germany, France, offering diversified architecture and other spectacular shows. According to the traditional accounts, Mahamayadevi, the queen of Kapilavastu, traveled to Devadaha when she stopped by the gardens in Lumbini and gave birth to Buddha under a sala tree. There is a Pond, which is where Buddha’s mother took dips in the water. After growing up, Buddha gave up the worldly life and took up the spiritual path, eventually attaining enlightenment. Hence, Lumbini as a place has its importance owing to these events.
The focal point of the tourist is the sandstone carving that depicts the birth of Buddha. To interact with monks and practice some peaceful mediation and yoga, one can visit the Panditarama Vipassana Centre. Spending some time here brings in s sense of comfort and devotion. Lumbini now serves as a UNESCO world heritage site attracting significant tourists. In 2001, The construction of a peace pagoda took place, which sees visitors irrespective of culture. Covering an area of 2.56 sq km, it has a subtropical climate with wet monsoons and pleasant weather. Buddha taught the values of Buddhism for 45 years. The pilgrimage began very continuously after seeing unavoidable interruptions, only after Ashoka popularized it.
The Nepalese Department of Archeology took over the site and looks after its protection and Preservation. Later it came under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1956. Lumbini, today is 4.5 km long and 1.6 km extended area with schools of Buddhism. Countries across the globe have erected structures at Lumbini, honoring Buddha’s vision of a peaceful world. Lumbini is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Nepal. Although it looks different from what it used to in Buddha’s time, it gives up the same tranquility, the same peace that made his mother stop by the garden and experience the miracle.
