Overview
Lumbini is the most sacred place in the world for Buddhist followers. Known as the birthplace of the Gautama Buddha, Lumbini is a place to visit for the world, not just for Buddhist Pilgrims.
Located in the southern plainlands of Nepal, Lumbini is Nepal’s one of the busiest tourist places. Over 1 million people visit the spiritual sites of beautiful places every year. In this blog, you will find all the best places to visit in Lumbini. It will help you choose the places to visit.
First and Foremost, you should not or will not miss Maya Devi Temple if you ever visit Lumbini. Maya Devi Temple is the temple that is believed to be the exact spot of the Gautama Buddha’s birth. The area is such a serene place. A sacred pond, the historical Ashoka Pillar, and a sacred garden enchant the site.
Apart from Maya Devi Temple, there is Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, the home of endangered cranes and other birds. The World Peace Stupa, one of the 80 Peace stupas in the world, is inside the Lumbini complex. Also, Lumbini Museum, a museum presenting Buddha’s chronology and teaching, is inside the park.
Altogether, there are over 30 monasteries in the great Lumbini area. Each of the monasteries is unique from the others. We can see monasteries built by the Buddhist organizations of various countries like Germany, Canada, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, etc. Walking in such a park gives you an impression of different architecture and art.
In a nutshell, Lumbini is a must-visit place if you treasure history, spirituality, architecture, and religion. There are many places to visit in Lumbini, which can leave you moved.
The major ones are explained below after a quick read about Lumbini.
About Lumbini
Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace, is located in the Rupandehi district of the southern plainlands of Nepal. Around 566 BCE, Buddha was born to King Suddhodhana and Queen Maya in this very place.
Lumbini is one of the most sacred sites in the world for anyone who believes in religion, especially Buddhist pilgrimages. It was enlisted as a world heritage site in 1997 by UNESCO.
The whole area of temples and shrines is known as the Lumbini Complex. The historical and religious complex is scattered with old temples, gompas, monasteries, and shrines funded by various countries’ Buddhist organizations. Temples from different country organizations surround it, and Maya Devi Temple, Buddha’s exact birthplace, is the complex’s heart.
Some significant monasteries in the Lumbini area are the Royal Thai Monastery, the Golden Temple of Myanmar, the Canadian Monastery, the Singapore Monastery, the Chinese Monastery, and the German Monastery. Maya Devi Temple is the main temple of the entire site. It has the old Maya Devi Temple, a sacred pond, an ancient Ashoka Pillar, and a sacred garden.
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What are the best places to visit in Lumbini?
Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple is the crux of Lumbini. Believed to be the site of Gautama Buddha’s Birth, Maya Devi Temple is one of the holiest shrines for Buddhists.
It is named after the mother of Buddha, Queen Maya Devi. The temple houses ancient stone remains, Buddha & Queen Maya Devi’s old pictures, and the birth spot marker stone.
There is a sacred pond by the temple where Queen Maya Devi washed herself before giving birth to Buddha. The temple lies in the middle of a heavenly garden. Ancient ruins, temples, Bodhi Trees, temples, and prayer flags make the park a spiritual place. The entire complex area that houses Maya Devi Temple, the pond, and the garden is a UNESCO heritage site. You simply cannot miss this place.
Lumbini Museum
Lumbini Museum is another must-visit place in Lumbini residing in the Lumbini complex, a UNESCO-listed site. The museum preserves Lumbini’s rich history and heritage and Buddha’s legends.
If you step inside this museum, you will see the collection of exhibits, photographs, and artifacts that show Buddha’s life and preaching. There are, in total, three galleries that present different aspects of Buddhism. Lumbini Museum is an epicenter of history and culture. A walk into this museum is worth exploring.
World Peace Stupa
It is one of the best places to visit in Lumbini, the World Peace Stupa made by the Japanese Buddhist Organization in 2001. The Buddhist monument spreads the message of peace and concord among all the people in the world. The world peace stupa is one of the 80 pagodas made by the same organization worldwide.
The monument is a white dome-like structure decorated with Buddhist symbols and paintings of Buddha. Four small stupas made in different styles and resembling unique meanings circle the stupa. The stupa’s central part is Buddha’s golden statue in a meditative posture. It also offers a fantastic panorama of surrounding greenery and area. If you visit Lumbini, World Peace Stupa should be on your list.
Lumbini Crane Sanctuary
Lumbini Crane Sanctuary is yet another place you cannot miss while in Lumbini. Located nearby Lumbini Complex, the sanctuary is a wetland area of around 4.6 square kilometers. The site safeguards the Sarus Crane and other habitats.
The sanctuary comprises ponds, marshes, and wetlands. These conditions favor the Sarus Crane and other species in the area. Not just Sarus Crane, we can view storks, pond herons, and other water birds. If you love bird watching, nature walks, and photography, Lumbini Crane Sanctuary is the best site in Lumbini.
International Monasteries and Buddhist Shrines
Lumbini Complex is a 4.8km long compound full of monasteries and shrines. Maya Devi Temple, World Peace Stupa, and Lumbini Museum are in the same complex. Apart from these three sites, you can wander around monasteries of different styles, architecture, and meanings.
The complex is full of nothing but shrines. You can visit the Royal Thai Monastery, German Monastery, South Korean Monastery, Austrian Monastery, Cambodian Monastery, Canadian Monastery, or Golden Temple of Myanmar. It takes a whole day or more to explore each of the sites. The architectures are different, but the vibes are the same. It is peace and spirituality.
What do people also ask for?
Lumbini is one of the major travel destinations in Nepal. Over a million people visit every year. People have queries of all kinds. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Lumbini:
What is Lumbini famous for?
Lumbini is famous as the birthplace of Buddha. Maya Devi Temple, the exact birth spot, is a significant pilgrimage for Buddhists. People from other religions also visit the place.
Why do tourists Visit Lumbini?
The place is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Hence, people around the globe come to Lumbini to see religious and unique places.
What time to visit Lumbini?
The best time to visit Lumbini is around April and May. Buddha Jayanti, the birthday of Buddha, lies in the season. It is celebrated grandly every year. You get to experience such a great occasion. Otherwise, you can visit Lumbini all year round.
Which temple is famous in Lumbini?
Maya Devi Temple is the most famous temple in Lumbini. The temple is considered the exact birth spot of Buddha. There is the birth spot mark of Buddha, old remnants of the palace, and ancient inscriptions inside the temple. Likewise, a sacred pond, Ashoka Pillar, and a sacred garden are outside of it.
What to buy in Lumbini, Nepal?
You will find many souvenir shops in Lumbini. The best things to buy from Lumbini are Thangka paintings, pashmina, singing bowls, traditional jewelry, statues, etc.
How many days are enough for Lumbini?
If you only want to visit the Maya Devi Temple area, 4-5 hours are enough. Otherwise, you will need two days to see all the temples that are in the complex.
How many temples are there in Lumbini?
Currently, there are 32 monasteries in the Lumbini Master Plan area. One is at the New Lumbini village area, two at the sacred garden, and 29 are at the monastic zone of the Lumbini Complex.
What religions visit Lumbini?
Buddhist pilgrimages mostly visit the place. However, the site is open to all and has no restrictions. All religions see Lumbini.
How many tourists visit Lumbini?
Around 1-2 million people visit Lumbini every year from all parts of the world. The inflow was plunged due to COVID-19. However, it is returning to its average.
What is the entry fee at Lumbini?
NPR 200 for foreign nationals, NPR 100 for SAARC Nationals, and NRS 20 for Nepalese. Likewise, the fee to enter Lumbini Museum for foreign citizens is NPR 50, SAARC nationals 50, and NPR 10 for locals. Apart from that, all other sites in Lumbini have free entries.
How far is Lumbini to Kathmandu?
Lumbini is precisely 255 km away from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and 127 KM from Pokhara.
How to get from Kathmandu to Lumbini?
You can take a highway bus drive or flight to reach Lumbini from Kathmandu. The drive is around 8 hours long. At the same time, the flight duration is only 35 minutes.
Is Lumbini worth it?
Lumbini is entirely worth it if you want to see the birthplace of Buddha. The temples and monasteries inside the area are worth exploring. The Lumbini visit is worth it if you seek a peaceful and spiritual time.
