Lumbini
Lumbini is renowned for being the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha Shakyamuni, the historic Buddha. Lumbini is a nice stopover on the way from Pokhara to the Chitwan National Park and is located around 250 kilometers from Kathmandu.
Lumbini is one of Buddhism's holiest locations, located a short drive west of the Terai hamlet of Siddharthanagar (also known as Bhairawa). The Maya Devi Temple, located in the heart of the Sacred Garden, commemorates the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, in 563 BCE.
This deeply sacred location is surrounded by a massive complex packed with temples built by Buddhist communities from all over the world in a wide range of architectural styles, as well as a museum, cultural center, and a towering white-and-gold peace pagoda in a park frequented by Sarus cranes.
There is a sense of calm in this pilgrimage town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The majority of the tourists are Buddhist pilgrims from all around the world who are retracing Buddha's steps through his life's stages. The Maya Devi Temple, which is devoted to Buddha's mother, is thought to be the location of Buddha's birth. It houses an old stone carving representing Buddha's birth from the 2nd century AD.
Location: Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province, Nepal
Entrance fee:
- Foreigners: 500 rupees
- Locals: free
- Indians: 16 rupees
- Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan: 200 rupees
Best time to visit: October and November
Hours: Mondays - Sundays: 5 am – 7 pm
