The apostle of peace and the light of Asia Lord Buddha’s birth place: Lumbini
Lumbini is the place where the apostle of peace and the light of Asia Lord Buddha were born in 623 B.C. Lumbini is situated in the foot hills of Himalayas about 22 kms from Bhairahawa of Nepal. Lumbini is located in the flat plains of south-western Nepal which evokes a kind of holy sentiment to the millions of Buddhists all over the world. Lumbini and its surrounding area are endowed with a rich natural environment. Lumbini is a piece of heaven on earth and one could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid garden-embedded with stupas and monasteries! The sacred place is listed as one of the World Heritage Sites.
Historically, the region is an exquisite treasure-trove of ancient ruins and antiquities, dating back to pre-Christian era. The sites, described as beautiful garden in the Buddha’s time still retain its legendary charm and beauty. The mere 12 miles north of Lumbini lay the dense and picturesque sal-grove.
King Suddhodana, father of Gautam Buddha was of the Shakya dynasty. Siddhartha Gautam was born from the womb of Maya-devi in the sixth century BC in Lumbini garden during the full moon day in the month of Baisakh (January-February). Maya-davi gave birth to the child on the way to her parental home in Devadaha while taking rest in Lumbini under a sal tree. While she was standing, she felt labor pains and catching hold of a drooping branch of a sal tree, the baby, the future Buddha, was born.
Maya Devi with her right hand holding on to a branch of a sal tree with a new born child standing upright on a lotus petal and took seven steps towards north, shedding an oval halo, around his heads, two other celestial figures are depicted in an act of pouring water and lotuses bestowed from heaven and looking in all directions, he declared that I am the foremost of all creatures to cross the riddle of the ocean of the existence this is my last birth and here after, I will not be born again.
About 30km east of Lumbini is the village of Tilaurakot which is believed to have been the location of the Kapilvastu royal palace where the Buddha born and grew up as the Shakya dynasty prince.
This newly born prince named Siddhartha had supernatural birth & signs, which indicated that the new born child will bring deliverance to the world. Rishis warned the king that the boy might renounce the world anytime if he happens to come across: (1) The Diseased (2) The old man (3) The dead body & (4) The ascetic. The king alarmed to hear this and married Prince Siddhartha at an early age and almost imprisoned him in pleasure palaces providing therein all kinds of enjoyments. Eventually Kapilvastu is the place where Lord Buddha had lived the childhood and the days of teenage in complete luxury. But he renounced it at the age of 29 in search of enlightenment.
Lumbini is one of four Buddhist pilgrimage sites based on major events in the life of Gautama Buddha. Interestingly, all of the events occurred under trees. The other three sites are in India: Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first discourse), and Kushinagar (death). It is said that Lord Buddha himself had advised the monks and followers from his death bed at Kusinagar to visit the four places: Lumbini, Bodhagaya, Saranatha and Kusinagar. So, Lumbini remained not only as a pleasure garden, but it also developed as a place of pilgrimage after the birth of Lorad Buddha.
The capital of King Shuddhodhan, Kapilvastu still carries with it the mystic charm. It houses many sculptures of Buddhism, which present a landscape before those visitors that makes them feel calm content. Kapilvastu carries the visitors away to the ancient days when Buddha was a small child a prince.
Maya Devi Temple of Lumbini itself depicts the scenes of the Buddha’s birth. On the south of the Maya Devi temple there is the famous sacred bathing pool known as Puskarni. It is believed that Maya Devi took a bath in this pool just before giving birth to the Lord and also where infant Buddha was given his first purification bath. By the side of the Ashoka pillar there is a river which flows southeast.
In 249 BC, when the Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini constructed four stupas and a stone pillar with a figure of a horse on top. The stone pillar bears an inscription in Brahmi script and its English translation is King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, Lumbini village was taxed reduced and entitled to the eight parts. The inscription of the pillar declares that Ashoka granted Lumbini tax free status in honor of Buddha’s birth. It is 6m high and half of it is beneath the ground. It is situated nearby the Sacred Garden and behind the Maya Devi Temple to the west of the temple. The pillar is considered as the first epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha and is also the most visible landmark of the garden. The middle hall contains some exquisite murals resembling the medieval periods.His visit indicates that this region was under the sovereignty of this dynasty and that this region was still widely known as holy place of pilgrimage. In this context various antiquities and monuments reveal that Lumbini was continuously inhabited from the sixth century BC to the fourteenth century AD.
In the 15/16th century (1489-1517AD) Lodi Sultan attack and might have destroyed the stone sculptures as well as monuments at Lumbini and Kapilvastu in the process of propagation of Muslim movement in the region. A number of stone sculptures are found without leg, hand, nose, mouth, cheek, forehead, shoulder etc. it seems that they were broken by force.
Recently, several beautiful shrines have been built by devotees from Buddhist countries. A visit to Lumbini is not only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and satisfaction that one gets in such a calm and peaceful place. Currently, the holy site is being developed with international support as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of world peace. The shrines and monasteries that many countries have built reflect the architectural traditions of the respective countries and thus giving Lumbini an international feel with a message of universal friendship and brotherhood. Lumbini is the Mecca of every Buddhist being one of the four holy places of Buddhism. The place itself is interesting as a whole, the landscapes and the green forestry. However Maya Devi temple and the Stupas and the Pillar built by Ashoka are really worth a visit.
The main attraction at Lumbini remains the Sacred Garden, which is spread over & sq.km and possesses all the treasures of the historic area. Structural remains as well as artifacts found from Lumbini reveal that monks and his followers used to stay here from the beginning of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Bodhnath stupa, Kopan Monastery, Namobuddha, Pharping Monastery,
Kathmandu city & Swayambhunath stupa and Lumbini (The Birthplace of
Lord Buddha) 8 Days / 7 Nights per person twin share land only. Private
Tour Guaranteed daily departures (min 2 people)
Buddhist Pilgrimage Itinerary
Day 01 Upon arrival, meeting and assistance at the airport and then transfer
to the hotel. Rest of theday free for acclimatization. Overnight at the
Hotel.
Day 02 After breakfast, visit Kopan Monastery and Bodhnath. Kopan Monastery
was founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rimpoche in 1970 as a center of
Buddhist Teachings. Meet Senior Lama and orientation on Buddhism at
Kopan Monastery. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at Hotel. Kopan
Monastery:Kopan hill is located at the terraced fields of the Kathmandu
valley and visible for miles. Dominated by a magnificent Bodhi tree, it
was once the home of the astrologer to the king of Nepal. It was to
this hill that the lamas first came with their first Western students
in 1969. Kopan Monastery had its beginnings in the Solukhumbu region.
In 1971 Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the reincarnation of the Lawudo Lama,
a yogi of the tiny hamlet of Lawudo, fulfilled the promise of the
previous Lawudo Lama to start a monastic school for the local children.
The school was called Mount Everest Center. Twenty five monks moved
down from the mountain to Kopan in 1971 - prompted by the harsh climate
at an altitude of 4000 m. Boudhnath:This Stupa, 8 kms. east of
Kathmandu City, is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It
stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping
watch for righteous behaviour and human prosperity. This Buddhist Stupa
was built by King Man Deva at the advice of the Goddess Mani Jogini. It
is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is
ringed by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests.
Day 03 After breakfast, drive to Namobudhha (45 Kms), Buddhists call it
"Tamangligi", the famous Buddhist spot, where Lord Buddha (on 7th
re-incarnation) sacrificed his body to a hungry Tigress and its cubs. A
scenic hike from Namobuddha to Balthali through the beautiful
village. Lunch at Balthali Village Resort. After lunch, hike for
an hour where your vehicle is waiting to pick you up, then drive back
to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04
After breakfast, visit Pharping Monastery, Kathmandu durbar square
including Kumar (The Living Goddess Temple) and Swayambhunath stupa.
The Buddhist history says, Milerapa from Tibet took one night shelter
in the cave, and accordingly blessed this monastery. Hindus have their
own version that it was Pancha Pandav who had visited this place.
KATHMANDU:Known as Kantipur,the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Here
you will visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who acknowledges the
Greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence.
Kasthamandap – the source of the name Kathmnadu and supposed to be made
from the timber of a single tree and the Durbar Square are with it’s
array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient
palace of the Nepalese Royalty. Swayambhunath:Located approximately 4
kms./2.5 miles, this Buddhist Stupa is said to be 2000 years old. The
Stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere
of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a
pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the foursided base of the spire are
the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small
Chaityas and Pagoda temples.
Day 05
Afterbreakfast, transfer to airport to take a flight to
Bhairahawa. Upon arrival at Bhairahawa airport, our hotel
representative will meet and transfer to hotel. Dinner and Overnight at
Hotel.
Day 06 Breakfast at hotel.
Sightseeingtour of Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the
Shakya prince and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlightened one, is the
pilgrimage destination of the world’s millions of people faithful to
all schools of Buddhism. This nativity site, identified by an Emperor
Ashoka from India commemorative pillar is listed as a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.LUMBINI:
232 kms/145 miles away from Kathmandu, Lumbini is the birth place of
Lord Buddha. The broken Ashoka Pillar, remnants of old monastery,
images of Buddha’s mother Maya Devi, are still preserved here. Mayadevi
temple is the main attraction of pilgrims which is oldest shrine of
Nepal. To the south of the Ashoka pillar, we find the sacred pond,
Puskarni, where queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving
birth to the Lord Buddha.
Day 07 After breakfast, transfer to Bhairahawa airport to take a flight back
to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel.
Full day at leisure for personal activities and shopping.
Evening: Enjoy a typical Nepali dinner at a local restaurant with cultural show.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 08 After breakfast, departure transfer to the International airport for onwards journey.
Kopan Monastery,Lumbini,Lumbini,Swayambath
Tour Cost Includes: -
Five nights stay at respective hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu.
Two nights stay at respective hotel on half board (MAP) basis in Lumbini.
Arrival & departure transfers.
Meeting/assistance at the airport/hotel by our representative.
Sightseeing tours of following places with English speaking guide as follows:
a) Kopan Monastery and Bodhnath stupa
b) Kathmandu city and Swayambhunath stupa
Applicable entrance fees to visit sightseeing spots.
A day hike from Namobuddha to Balthali including Lunch at Balthali Village Resort.
2 Lunches at local restaurants during sightseeing tours.
Surface transfer from Kathmandu / Dhulikhel and Khopasi (Panauti)/ Kathmandu.
Airfare for Kathmandu/ Bhairahawa/ Kathmandu with domestic airport tax and transfers.
Half-day Sightseeing tours in Lumbini with a local English speaking guide including entrance fee.
A typical Nepali dinner at local Restaurant with cultural show.
Tour Cost Excludes:
Any items not mentioned above.
Any type of personal travel insurance
International departure airport tax + PSF.
Notice:a)
We will provide our local English Speaking Guide for the sightseeing
tours within Kathmandu valley and during the sightseeing tour in
Lumbini.
Hotel, Guest House & Info in Lumbini, NepalThe Indian Emperor
Ashoka (249 BC) visited Lumbini and erected an inscribed Ashokan Pillar
on the spot of Buddha's birth. The inscription of the pillar (the
oldest in Nepal) declares that Ashoka granted Lumbini tax-free status
in honor of Buddha’s birth. It is 6m high and half of it is beneath the
ground. It is behind the Maya Devi Temple, to the west of the temple.
Emperor Ashoka erected many other pillars throughout India. The carved
top of the pillar has never been found.
There used to be is a temple here dedicated to Maya Devi, Buddha’s
mother. Parts of the temple are over 2,000 years old. It is believed
that the temple was located where the Buddha was born. There used to be
a pipal tree here that some people believed to be the tree that Maya
Devi gave birth to Siddhartha under.
In 1993 the temple was demolished and the tree cut down and an
archaeological excavation has been taken place. A commemorative
reddish-brown stone (70 cm long) on top of a platform has been
discovered 5m (16 ft) below the old location of the temple. It is said
that Ashoka placed a memorial stone at the place where the Buddha took
birth. The stone was found where according a Buddhist literature, where
the distance from the pond where the Buddha is supposed to have taken
birth. Excavation point to the fact that there are remains of a Gupta
period (4th to 6th century), is on top of foundations from earlier
Kushana and Mauryan periods. There is a bas-relief sculpture of
Buddha’s birth, said to date to 14th century that used to be in the old
temple.
There is a pond next to the temple and just south of the Ashoka pillar,
where Maya Devi is said to have bathed in, before (some say after) the
delivery of the Buddha. There are some ruined foundations of stupas and
buildings dating from the 2nd century to the 9th century.
There are heavily restored brick foundations of stupas and buildings,
which date from the second century BC to the ninth century AD. There
are two modern monasteries. The Tibetan Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha
Vihar was established by Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and built by the king
of Mustang. It has some aged paintings and gilded Buddhas and
bodhisattvas. Sri Lankan Pilgrims Rest House, Lumbini, Nepal: about a
half-hour walk (3km) from the Sacred Garden, is a large modern place
that has clean rooms with common bath and hot water. Dorm beds arealso
avaible. It has a restaurant. The Theravada Lumbini Buddha Vihar was
built by the Nepal government. It has some Tibetan-style paintings,
Newar woodwork and Buddhist images.
The government has set aside a large area of land north of the Sacred
Garden to build a large pilgrimage centre consisting of monasteries,
gardens, fountains and a tourist village. Some work has already been
done. Several foreign temples and monasteries have already been built,
and over a half a million have been planted. There is an eternal flame,
which is supposed to represent the “Light of Asia.” In the east side of
the area a site has been set aside for the building of Buddhist
monasteries built in the national style from countries from all over
the world, with the form of worship from the particular countries.
Some monasteries have already been built. The Chinese Monastery has a
large statue of Buddha and is built like a small-Forbidden City. The
Myanmar (Burmese) Pagoda was built in the style of the famous Shwedagon
temple in Rangoon. There is a Cultural Center. North of the Cultural
Center is the large Lumbini Shanti Stupa which is being built. When it
is finished it is supposed to be 40m high. The Lumbini Crane Sanctuary
is where around 30 endangered sarus cranes live. They are the tallest
flying bird. Around 200 or 300 of these cranes live in Nepal. Storks,
egrets and other water birds are also here. The area around the master
plan has around 150 species of birds.
There is a Buddhist festival in April/May called Buddha Jayanti here to
celebrate the appearance of the Buddha. At the same time there is a big
Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Nepali month of
Vaisakha (April/May), when Hindu come to worship Maya Devi as Rupa
Devi, the goddess of Lumbini.
Hotel in Lumbini - Hotel Nirvana
- from $53 - $74Amidst
the magnificent remnants of the past wonders of Lumbini, stands Hotel
Nirvana. A contemporary hotel with all the modern state of the art
facilites, but abounding in traditional hospitality- a beautiful
interlacing of the old and new. A perfect place where people can come
and spend time, discovering the magnificence of Lord Buddha's birth
place, the ancient heritage, while resorting in a modern comfortable
hotel. The Hotel has been specially designed to avail the guest of
holiday cum pilgrimage vacation. The hotel is centrally
air-conditioned, as Lumbini falls in the hot plains of terai. There are
40 spacious double rooms including 2 suites. Every room is wall to wall
carpeted and has complete facilities of TV, Mini Bar, a restaurant and
a Lobby bar, Laundry, Room Service and Hot and Cold water. All major
credit cards are accepted. We also provide Airport pickup-drop and trip
to Lumbini and Tilaurakot Yeti hotel -lumbini Hotel yeti is Loated in
Bhairahawa near by the Lumbini Garden, holiest place for the Buddhist
as well as all the peace lover all over the world
Lumbini hotel with massage/treatment rooms. Buddha Maya Garden Hotel,
Lumbini, NepalBuddha Maya Garden Hotel and Resort is managed by the
famous Kathmandu Guest House, the Asia's leading budget hotel with 35
years of experience in travel trade industry in Nepal. Located in a
calm and serene area of Lumbini World Heritage garden peripherial and
yet so close to the sanctum of the sacred pilgrimage, you can feel the
spirit. You may wake up to the sound of chirping of birds and religious
hymns and take a morning walk to Sacred Garden, mediate in ancient
archeological ruin or in front of Ashoka Pilar in totally pollution
free environment. In day time, you can visit to Manastic Zone to see
the facinating archeological ruins, and magnificent monsteries and
monuments. Buddha Maya Garden Hotel, Lumbini, NepalIn evening, stroll
in the Tharu village at Buddha Nagar to observe age old culture and
tradition. Or simply enjoy the breath taking magnificent sunset over
the vast horizon of terai paddy fields from the hotel's wide varandah.
Lumbini, the Birth Place of Lord Buddha, is the holiest pilgrimage of
the Buddhist world. Because of its immense historical and archeological
importance, Lumbini is listed as a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO and
is declared as a "Fountain of World Peace" by World Buddhist Federation
WBF. Buddha Maya Garden Hotel, Lumbini, NepalMany countries and leading
Buddhist institutions have constructed magnificent monasteries and
monuments in Lumbini garden reflecting their respective indigenous
architecture. This multi-culture endeavor enhance Lumbini as an
International Buddhist pilgrimage center
.
Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, lies in the midst of flat,
emerald-green fields. It is one of the four great Buddhist pilgrimage
sites and draws pilgrims from Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Korea.
Lumbini is a place less known to many but a destination worth a visit
to simply come to experience an ambiance of spiritualism. While in
Lumbini you can forget the tense and materialistic urban life and live
a few blissful days of absolute peace and tranquility in touch with
your inner spirituality. Buddha Maya Gardens makes sure that your wish
to be in touch with the simple aesthetics of life is fulfilled.ARIFF
2. Checkout time: 12 noon.
3. All bills must be settled in convertible foreign currency one day prior to check-out.
4. Credit Cards (VISA, Master Card, American Express) are accepted.
5. Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
6.Discount / Commission (on daily room rates only) Complimentry room to
the group leader of 15 paying pax and above.
7. No extra charge for children under 6 years occupying the same room and bed with parents.
All rates are subject to 10% service charge and 13% government tax.
The birthplace of the Lord Buddha is one of the most important holy
places for Buddhists. King Ashoka, after uniting the Indian
sub-continent, made a pilgrimage here in the 3rd century BC and
dedicated a stone pillar which remains to this day. There are also
records of pilgrimages by renowned Chinese Buddhist monks up to 7th
century. Lumbini Sacred Garden has 22 monasteries established by 15
countries. Lumbini became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, and a
development project is being carried out under a master plan designed
by renowned architect Kenzo Tange. Lumbini today is a holy place where
Buddhists from all over the world come to make a pilgrimage in pursuit
of peace of mind. Namo Buddha or Takmo Lujin is a very sacred place for
the Buddhists. The Stupa situated just off to the downtown Kathmandu is
visited by scores of pilgrims every year. There is a legend behind the
reverence of this place. According to the Buddhist legend, the King
Mahasattva gave his body to a hungry tigress at this place. His
reliquary Stupa remained underground for centuries. One day a hermit
called Bhagavan (Sakyamuni) came to this site and got attracted to the
bulge. It is said that he clapped his hands, and miraculously the Stupa
appeared. Efforts have been made to examine more deeply, the validity
of Tag-molussbyin's claim, which was a hermit in medieval time; that
this is the same place that has been mentioned in the Jataka Stories.
Going by this legend, this Stupa enshrines the bones and hair of the
Buddhist hermit who died practicing the deeds of a Bodhisattva. He was
moved to such pity at seeing a tigress, ravaged by hunger and about to
devour a small boy, that he sacrificed his body to her Even now, in
this place there is such fear of the tiger that the people do not utter
the real name of the Stupa. Since in Buddhism it is believed, that to
speak the name of the Buddha is to be free from fear the Nepalese call
this place Namo Buddha! If you ask for directions to the Stupa, never
ever utter the real name or no one will answer you. The local people
will not understand you if you ask for Takmo Lujin; you must ask for
Namo Buddha." Namo Buddha is one of the principal places of pilgrimage
for the Lama Tibetans
Pharping - Vajra Yogini Temple, Kathmandu is among the number of
Temples in Kathmandu. There are a number of Temples in Nepal. The
Pharping - Vajra Yogini Temple in Kathmandu is meant for the Buddhist.
It is also an important artifact. There are a number of shrines at
Pharping. You will find Pharping which has a number of shrines at a
distance of 18 kilometers in the southern part of Kathmandu. The
Pharping - Vajra Yogini Temple, Kathmandu is a 3 storey building. The
temple is similar to a Buddhist temple. On the upper floor resides the
shrine of the Vajra Yogini who was the Tantric goddess. There are
images of Buddha Shakyamuni, Vasundhara and Matsyendranath in on the
ground floor. The bells which are present at the entrance of the temple
symbolize the lightning symbol or Vajra. The building was established
in the year 1665. There is also a pleasant looking goddess is
represented on the top of the doorway. Vajra Yogini is the goddess of
knowledge according to the Buddhists. The image shows two Dakini,
Simhini and Baghini. There are a number of sculptures in the temple
premise. There is also a head of Buddha which is of the 7th century.
You will also find a number of bronzes. The water tank is of 10th
century. Tantric ceremonies are performed in the temple where there is
also a cave. There is also Swayambhu Stupa in the premise. Visiting the
Pharping - Vajra Yogini Temple, Kathmandu will be a memorable
experience indeed. travel.mapsofworld.com provides information about
Pharping - Vajra Yogini Temple, Kathmandu. For more information on
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