Lumbini

Lumbini is that holy place where Siddhartha Gautam was born. The stone pillar of Ashoka, and India emperor, in the Lumbini garden points out this place by the name of Lumbini. Logic as to why this place possesses the name Lumbini offers a side range of opinions differing after each individual scholar. Lumbini, situated in the fertile western Terai, is a world famous pilgrimage site in Nepal.

Lumbini and its solemn and tranquil environs at present are situated in Kapilvastu district of Nepal where Buddha took birth in 625 B.C. After the Mahapari nirvana of Tathagata Buddha many statues, Sutpas and monasteries were set up in his reminiscence. The relics unravelled in the excavation around the Ashokan pillar some decades ago reminds us of the same thing. During the period of visits by the renowned Chinese travelers Fa-Hien and Yuan-Chwang many pf the monasteries here were heading towards deterioration. And another traveller, Bukung who visited this place in the second half of the 8th century, did not give any account about the monasteries here. The discovery of contemporary relics of Maurya, Sunga and Kusan dynasties during the archaeological excavation around the present temple of Mayadevi states that Lumbini was a famous pilgrimage site for fairly a good kuration of time. There is an evidence till 1312 A.D. that, this place was visited as a place of pilgrimage. But in course of time the whereabouts of this place became a subject of research. Dr. Feuher, in the course of his activities to find out Buddhist pilgrimage sites, discovered this site. Many things were developed, and Lumbini started gaining popularity and dsignificance. Interest of the people was roused all over the world to know about the birth place of Gautam Buddha, the apostle of world peace.

The ancient Lumbini garden is now an open field with a collection of the ancient image of Mayadevi, Ashokan pillar, sacred pond and the remains of monasteries and stupas unravelled in the archaeological excavation. The stone sculpture based on Buddhist's Jataka depicted as supporting herself by holding of with both hands to branch of a Sal tree.

Many dharmasalas, guest houses and stupas were built in Lumbini on the occasion of 2500th Buddha Jayanti(aniversary of Lord Buddha). Mahendra Sthambha was also established there in memory of Buddha, which helps to know a lot about Lumbini of modern time.