Lumbini

Lumbini (The Birthplace of Gautam Buddha)
Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha where the apostle of peace, compassion, non-violence and universal brotherhood was born in 624 B.C. It is the most sacred place of Buddhism and lies in the Terai about 250 km south west of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. It is located near Bhairahawa domestic airport. Lumbini remained neglected for centuries. Further exploration and excavation of the surroundings area revealed the existence of a brick and sandstone sculpture within the temple itself, which depict the scenes of Buddha? birth.

Very recently, several Buddhist countries have built several beautiful shrines in Lumbini. An international committee has also been set up for the development of this sacred historical place.

The visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, the realm of the Shakya is not only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and satisfaction that one normally gets in a calm and peaceful place like it.
Kapilvastu

Kapilvastu
About twenty-five hundred and some years ago, Kapilvastu was a small republic situated beneath the Churia or Shiwalik range of the foothills of the Himalayas. At the time of the birth of Buddha, Suddhodana the father of Buddha was ruling in Kapilvastu as its chief or king. The first description of Kapilvastu is by the Chinese historian and pilgrim, Fa-hien who visited Lumbini and Kapilvastu in 403. A.D. When he reached the site, the city was marked by desolate ruins and mounds. A few monks and common people lived there. Excavation of Kapilvastu and the surroundings was started from 1899 and Kapilvastu was located in 1901. Proper excavations were conducted in 1967 and onward by the department of archaeology, His Majesty? Government (HMG). At this site the structural remains the palace of the king Suddhodana and several stupas were found. More important details are yet to be revealed after further excavations.

Kapilvastu is an important native place of Buddha where he spent his first 29 years of life. Kapilvastu is associated with several incidents of his life such as: meeting the sick person, meditation of Saint Asit, competition with Shakya youth, shooting of an arrow to cause the spring of water to gush out and so on. When Buddha got enlightenment in Bodhgaya at this place 500 Shakyas and 8 princes adopted Buddhism. At this place he preached his father and Son Rahul also.

Places to See In Lumbini

Lumbini
Lumbini - the birth place of Lord Buddha and the founder of Buddhism, known as Buddha or the enlightened one. This is confirmed by the existence of an inscribed pillar erected 318 years after the event by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka, who visited Lumbini in 245 BC and left a number of his famous inscribed pillars in the region.

Sacred Garden: Which is spread over 8 sq.km possesses all the treasures of the historic area. It has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. This is the place where Lord Buddha was born. The site is marked by Ashoka Stone Pillar which has an engraved inscription identifying the spot as the birth place of LORD BUDDHA. On one side of the pillar is the MAYADEVI TEMPLE the temple of the mother of Lord Buddha. Recent excavations have turned up a stone bearing Foot Prints of Lord Buddha.

The Puskerni Pond: Located south of the Ashokan Pillar is the pond where Queen Mayadevi the mother of Lord Buddha is believed to have taken a bath before giving birth to LORD BUDDHA. Many countries have built TEMPLES , MONASTERIES OR STUPA in Sacred Garden in the international Monastery Zone and there has been global initiative to promote the place Lumbini.

Chinese Monastery: is a complex of Pagodas, & prayer rooms built by Buddhist Association of CHINA.

Korean Monastery: Contains beautiful images of Lord Buddha.

Royal Thai Monastery, The Royal Thai Monastery is located in the vicinity of the birthplace of the Buddha at the Lumbini Sacred Garden, Lumbini, Nepal. The construction has been funded by the Royal Thai Government and the devoted Thai Buddhists followers. The project was initiated to honour the celebration of commemorating the 50th Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the Throne.

Ashoka Pillar: The pillar carrying an inscription identifying the holy site as the birthplace, is situated nearby the Sacred Garden. To one side of Ashoka pillar is the Mayadevi Temple . Recent excavations have turned up a stone bearing a "foot imprint", indicating the exact place of birth.

The Lumbini Museum: located in the Cultural Zone, contains Mauryan and Kushana coins, religious manuscripts, terra-cotta fragments, and stone and metal sculptures. It also possesses an extensive collection of stamps from various countries depicting Lumbini and the Buddha.

Lumbini International Research Institude : located opposite to the Lumbini Museum , LIRI provides research facilities for the study of Buddhism and religion in general. Run jointly by the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) and the Reiyukai of Japan, LIRI contains numerous books on religion, philosophy, art and architecture.

Myanmar Monastery: The Myanmar Temple (Lokamani Cula Pagoda) is a gleaming gold and white structure gracefully soaring into the sky in the style of the Shwe-dagon Pagoda in Yangon . There is a monastery complex behind the temple. Nearby, the International Gautami Nuns Temple is a fine replica of the Swayambhu stupa in Kathm-andu. There is a pond here known as Paleswan Pukhu.

Peace Stupa: The Japan Peace Stupa is situated at the northern end of Lumbini. Built by the Nippon Jon Myohoji of Japan, the 41-m tall edifice is visible from a distance. Four different Buddha statues are set into the stupa's dome to face the four cardinal directions. Sri Lanka , Vietnam , Thailand and Mongolia are also building temples in Lumbini.

Tilaurakot
Tilaurakot, 27 km to the west of Lumbini, contains the ruins of ancient Kapilvastu, capital of the Sakya kingdom where the Buddha spent his youth as Prince Siddhartha. At Niglihawa (8 km from Tilaurakot) and Gotihawa (5 km), there are broken Ashoka pillars and other relics. Devdaha, capital of the Koliya kingdom and maternal home of Mayadevi, lies 35 km to the northeast of Lumbini - just off the Butwal-Narayanghat section of the East-West Highway.

Kapilvastu
About twenty-five and some years ago, Kapilvastu was a small republic situated beneath the Churia or Shiwalik range of the foothills of the Himalayas . At the time of the birth of Buddha, Suddhodana the father of Buddha was ruling in Kapilvastu as its chief or king. The first description of Kapilvastu is by the Chinese historian and pilgrim, Fa-hien who visited Lumbini and Kapilvastu in 403. A.D. When he reached the site, the city was marked by desolate ruins and mounds. A few monks and common people lived there. Excavation of Kapilvastu and the surroundings was started from 1899 and Kapilvastu was located in 1901. Proper excavations were conducted in 1967 and onward by the department of archaeology, His Majesty? Government (HMG). At this site the structural remains the palace of the king Suddhodana and several stupas were found. More important details are yet to be revealed after further excavations.

Kapilvastu Museum: Kapilvastu Museum is situated 27 km west of Lumbini in the village of Tilaurakot . The museum holds coins, pottery and toys dating between the seventh century BC and fourth century AD. The museum also has good collection of jwellery and other ornaments of that period.

Devdaha, capital of the Koliya kingdom and maternal home of Mayadevi, lies 35 km to the northeast of Lumbini - just off the Butwal-Narayanghat section of the East-West Highway .

Gotihawa is in the Kapilvastu district, about 31 kilometers west of Lumbini. Gotihawa is regarded a very important religious place for Buddhists all over the world. It is believed that Krakuchanda Buddha, who came before Sakyamuni Buddha, was born and attained nirvana in Gotihawa.

Kudan is in about four and a half kilometers south of Tilaurakot. It is where King Suddhodhana met Lord Buddha.

Niglihawa is situated about 32 kilometers northwest of Lumbini. Emperor Ashoka visited Niglisagar during his pilgrimage, built a stupa and set up a pillar. It is believed that the Kanakmuni Buddha, who came earlier than Shakyamuni Buddha, was born, enlightened, and met his father in this place.

The Ramgram Kingdom was 60 kilometers to the east of the holy place of the Buddha's birth. The King of Ramgram Kingdom was one of the eight Kings who obtained Buddha's relics and he also built a pagoda, which is named Ramgram Pagoda.

Sagarhawa is in the northwest of Niglihawa. This site has been identified by archeologists as the "Palace of massacre of the Shakyas."

Aroarakot: About 10 km northwest of Taulihawa there is a rectangular fortified area which is popularly known as Arourakot. The fortified area is identified by the famous Indian archaeologist P.C. Mukharji as the natal town of Kanakmuni Buddha . Remains of ancient moat and brick fortification around the Kot can still be clearly located. A brick lined well is seen to the south and elevated mound towards the northwest corner.

Buddhist Festivals

Buddha Purnima - Buddhists remembering threefold events, the birth of Buddha in Lumbini, attainment of Buddhahood in Buddhagaya and his Parinirvana in Kusinara celebrate Buddha Purnima – Vesak which falls on full moon of May. Devotees go to religious places on this day freely as it is official holiday. Practising generosity, cultivating morality and contemplating on meditation is done in every Buddhist temples. Going to Swayambhu, displaying picture of Buddha outside the house, reciting devotional songs and Buddha’s relic procession are some of colourful events take in Nepal during this day.

Gunla – religious month in August when Buddhists visits Swayambhu daily for this month. It is considered as religious month. Playing Gunla drums, which is religious music, devotees visit Swayambhu and Buddhist shrines (Vaidya, which is displayed specially during this month in Baha and Bahis in Kathmandu Valley).

Vijaya dasami – Buddhists commemorate this day as a day of victory of peace. Emperor Asoka, who lived 2 century after the Buddha gave up weapon and known as Dhammasoka from Chandasoka. By listening to the novice monk the warrior Emperor Asoka became peaceful in his heart. After becoming devout to Buddhism he built shrines and pagodas across the India and Nepal. Thanks to his thoughtful action, stabilising pillars and rocks, today we know where the Buddha lived and taught the Dharma.

Mukha Astami – Annually during month of October-November at Pasupati, god Siva is covered by Buddha’s face and done rituals. For this day Pasupati becomes a Buddhist shrine. During this period Buddhists observe precepts (vrata) and participate in rituals.

Chaita Dasain – In the month of December-January Statue of Compassion (Janmadya, Karunamaya) is put in chariot taking in parade around the Kathmandu city. Fortnight before the Karunamaya is given bath, redrawn face. City parade with national troop takes a week. During this week chariot is stopped over night on the way to the Shrine where devotees visit and lit lamps and do offerings.

Panjaran – Give alms to shrines and Gurju (household monks) in Swayambhu and in household. Panjaran Bigu is time when devotees offer various foods to Gurjus.