History Of Lumbini

From India:

Note all prices are from Nov 2011

Tribhuvan Airport is only about 30 min from Lumbini adn you can easily get a taxi to book air tickets I use either Make My Trip or Clear Trip. If you are travelling overland, then a train to Gorakhpur, India is probably your best option. From there it is about a 2.5 hour jeep rid to Sunali on the India/Nepal Border. Shared jeeps to the border are available for around rs150(Indian) per person, however they are quite crowded, if you can get a group of about 6-8 people an entire jeep can be hired for rs1600(Indian).

Once at the border make sure you get stamped out of India and get a visa for Nepal. To get the Nepali visa you will need to take 2 passport photographs, last time I only required one but to have 2 and a photocopy of your passport is advisable as visa rules are constantly changing. For more information on crossing the border and getting Visas go here Visa note, the current law from India is that if you leave India, you need to stay out for 2 months. However Nepal is an exception, at the border they are able to let you back into India after only 1-2 days. There may however be a “fee” and it is best to check with the Indian border staff before entering Nepal to ensure your are able to get back into India

From Sunali a Taxi to Lumbini takes around one hour and costs around rs800(Nepali), however this price is not set and may vary due to season or the individual drivers. Local buses are also available but I have never used one

Getting there from Kathmandu

Your only option here is to fly or drive, if you take a taxi I would estimate about 10-12 hours travel time and around 16 by bus, these are just going from memory so I can’t be entirely certain. Buses and taxis are easy to book but quality and price can vary a lot so try to find a reputable travel agent.

Lumbini Bazaar(A)

This is a small street near the entrance to the temple area, it is where most of the cheaper guest houses, as well as the restaurants and shops are located.

Maya Devi Temple(B)

Maya Devi gave birth to Lord Buddha at this place. There is a marked stone inside the temple that stands for the exact spot of Buddha’s birth. Along with that, one can see Buddha’s footprints as well at that place. People believed that Maya Devi took a bath in the pond, Pushkarani, situated in the temple, before she went into her labor-pains. Also, the infant Buddha was given a purification bath in the same pond after he was born. Henceforth, that pond is considered as a holy pond.

The Ashokan Pillar(C)

The Ashokan Pillar, standing proudly near Maya Devi Temple, war erected by King Ashoka. It is believed that the king visited this place personally and built this pillar as a tribute to Lord Buddha’s birth place. Not only did he erect the pillar but also gifted an inscription to it, which later on became the proof of his physical presence at the place.

Lotus Stupa(D)

The Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa which was built in Lumbini by German Tara Foundation. It is one of the most beautifully constructed Tibetan temples I have seen anywhere in both India and Nepal. Although the external structure is striking in itself, once you get inside the artwork is truly breathtaking.

Thai Monastery (E)

Truly stunning architecture and beautiful surroundings, this is truly one of the highlights of Lumbini. The garden and lake are also definably worth checking out

Korean Temple(F)

Even though construction of this temple is not yet complete, it is still a stunning example of Korean architecture. it also has beautifully kept ground and an amazing shrine room. It is also possible to find accommodation within the temple grounds, and since they offer morning meditations, it would be a good place to stay for those interested in a more spiritual experience.

Lumbini Museum(G)

This museum is devoted to the life of the Buddha, with artefacts and photos from Buddhist sites around the world, from Kathmandu to Kandy. The building is an interesting contemporary design, with a series of brick cylindrical blocks fitted with large round windows.

World Peace Pagoda(H)

Easily accessible by bike, the impressive gleaming white World Peace Pagoda was constructed by Japanese Buddhists at a cost of US$1 million. The shining golden statue depicts the Buddha in the posture he assumed when he was born. Near the base of the stupa is the grave of a Japanese monk murdered by anti-Buddhist extremists during the construction of the monument.

Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery(I)

Vietnamese Temple(J)

Built in Vietnamese style, with its roofs and borders turning inside like the petals of lotus. A lotus pond at the entrance of the temple, and a small bridge flying across the pond to the main gate, compel one to like the place immediately. The Pagoda is decorated with brown sheltered corridors that lead to the adjoining parts of the building.

The Royal Thai Monastery (Thailand)
Monastery of Mahabodhi Society of Kolkatta
Myanmar Monastery (Myanmar)
International Nuns’ Temple (Nepal)
Dhamma Janani Meditation Center (Nepal)
Sri Lankan Monastery(Sri Lanka)
Cambodian Monastery (Cambodia)
The Great Lotus Stupa (Tara Foundation, Germany)
Drigung Kagyud Meditation Centre (India)
Sokyo Temple (Japan)
Linhson Monastery (France)
Chinese Monastery (China)
Korean Mahabodhi Society Monastery (South Korea)
Vietnam Phat Quoc Tu (Vietnam)
Geden International (Austria)
Manang Monastery (Nepal)
Dharmodaya Sabha Monastery (Nepal)
Panditarama Meditation Center (Myanmar)
Lumbini Museum
Lumbini International Research Institute
World Peace Pagoda (Japan)
Eternal Peace Flame
Peace Bell
and Crane Sanctuary