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Lumbini

Nepal is a country of varieties. It is also diverse in landscape, cultures and religion. Nepal is the center of two major religions of the world; Hinduism and Buddhism. Major temples for Hindus around the world; Pashupatinath is located here. Similarly, Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the place has been designed as a beautiful complex of Buddhism, which is worth visiting.

Lumbini is a place in the Kapilavastu district, a district in the western plains of Nepal. Historically, the place was the royal palace of Buddha's parents, ie. Father Sudodhan and mother Mayadevi. Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini as Siddhartha Gautama, a prince. Later, he renounced all material comforts and went in search of enlightenment. This place is considered to be the center of Buddhism for people all over the world.

Mayadevi Temple:

The Mayadevi Temple was the principal royal palace for the royal family where Lord Buddha was born. The place also has ancient remains of the palace and footprints of Lord Buddha. Also, there are ancient items of the royal family preserved here. This temple is located near the sacred garden and sacred pool of Lumbini. The temple dates to the third century BC. Also, another important point here is the Ashoka Pillar which was erected by King Ashoka in about sixth century BC.

Apart from the major Mayadevi temple, many other monasteries are built at this place. This place has been declared to allow building space inside the monasteries only. The place also houses the sacred Bodhi tree, whose temple is considered the oldest relic of Buddhism in the world. There are also many other monuments, the Mayadevi temple and a museum inside the Lumbini International Research Institute. The holy pond, also known as Pushkarni, is the pool where Rani Mayadevi bathed before the birth of Lord Buddha and it is the same pond where Buddha took bath after her birth. This place was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

getting there

Lumbini is about 260 km from Kathmandu via the major highway. Travel by road can be completed in about 12 hours. The road trip can be exciting as it will travel through the middle hills of Nepal to the plains of Terai. Also, this place can be reached by air. The Gautam Buddha Airport at Naypyidaw is the nearest to visit Lumbini. Lumbini is about 25 kilometers from the airport.

Lumbini can be a different experience for anyone visiting Nepal. Buddhism is the birthplace of Hinduism, flourishing in the plains of the Terai. Also, this place can be different in the sense that Nepal is not just about hills and mountains. There are many other important and beautiful places to see and experience in Nepal.