Places to Visit in Lumbini: Birthplace of Lord Buddha

Places to Visit in Lumbini: Birthplace of Lord Buddha

Lumbini is located in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal and there are many places to visit in Lumbini which are really breathtaking and peaceful. According to Buddhist tradition, it is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the peace and ultimate pilgrimage for Buddhist devotees and peace lovers. Queen Maya gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama around 566 BCE. Lord Buddha later achieved enlightenment and became the founder of Buddhism.

Regarding “peace and Harmony,” Lord Buddha is its symbol. Lumbini is the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists around the world. Lumbini has evolved into a premier tourist destination, captivating thousands of visitors. Likewise, there are many places to visit in Lumbini which will really help in finding your inner peace.

Major Attraction of Lumbini-Birthplace of Lord Buddha

Lumbini is respected not only as a Buddhist pilgrimage but also as one of the top tourist destinations in Nepal. Hundreds of visitors come every day to visit temples and monasteries in Lumbini. There are several temples and places to visit in Lumbini. The Maya Devi temple is named after the mother of Lord Buddha. The sacred Maya Devi pond, Bodhi Tree, and Ashoka pillar are essential sites with a long Buddha history. The major attraction of Lumbini, which has historically and archaeologically valued and prominent history, is listed below:

1) Maya Devi Temple

Picture of Maya Devi temple
  • Free for Nepali and Indians
  • NPR 100(around $0.80 USD)For SAARC nationals
  • NPR 200(around $1.60 USD)for foreign tourists

The most blessed site in Lumbini is the Maya Devi temple. It is believed to be built on the places where Queen Maya gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. The Maya Devi Temple is a relatively modern structure built in 1993 and in the same fashion, it is one of the best places to visit in Lumbini. It stands near a sacred pool known as Pushkarini. The best time to visit Maya Devi Temple is during the cool months, from October to April. Buddha Jayanti is a festival celebrating the birth of Buddha. The Temple will be more crowded during this time. Moreover, it can be a fascinating time to visit and experience the culture and traditions of Buddhism. Basically, the entrance fee depends on your nationality.

2) The Puskarini Pond

Picture of Puskarini Pond.

The Temple is known as the holy Pushkarini and holy garden. This particular sacred Temple is peaceful, and several flags are arranged between the trees outside the Maya Devi temple. This is the pond where Buddha’s mother bathed at birth. And the newly-born prince took his first bath in this pond. Buddha walked seven steps, on this pond and at each of his steps, lotus flowers bloomed admirably. Correspondingly, the best time to visit is early mornings around sunrise, ideal for a peaceful and spiritual experience. You’ll also encounter devotees performing puja during this time. There is no entrance fee for Puskarini ponds in Nepal. Puskarini is for religious and public purposes, so entry is generally accessible.

3) The Ashoka Pillar

Picture of Ashoka Pillar
  •  Free for Nepali and Indians
  • Around & 0.80 USD for other foreign tourists 

Significantly, Ashoka’s pillar is an essential landmark in the history of Lumbini and Buddhism. An Indian Emperor Ashoka built this remarkable pillar towering six meters in height during the 3rd century. Equally tourist attractions in Lumbini are the Myanmar Golden Temple, World Peace Pagoda, China Temple, and Lumbini Museum. The best time to visit is from October to April, which provides comfortable weather. At the present time, the entrance fee to access the Lumbini Development zone includes Maya Devi Temple and The Ashoka Pillar.

4) Lumbini Museum

Picture of Lumbini Museum

Especially thousands of devotees and tourists interested in Buddhism and keen to know more about it and its preaching visit it annually. At the present time, the best time to visit depends on your preferences for weather and crowds: October to April, May, and June to September. The entrance fee depends on your nationality:

– Free for Nepali Citizens.

– Around $ 1.60 USD(NPR 200) for foreign tourists.

5) Myanmar Golden Temple

Picture of Myanmar Golden Temple

Identically Myanmar Golden Temple is the oldest structure temple in the Lumbini. Basically, it is dedicated to Lord Buddha. The Temple is built with a refined Burmese architectural style. It has a lokamani pula pagoda and three prayer halls inside the Temple. This structure provides a beautiful view of the Temple. The peaceful environment of this Temple has made it a place for meditation and solitude. The best time to visit Myanmar Golden Temple is during October to April, May, and June to September. This fee depends on your nationality, but it’s typically around USD 1.60 (NPR 200) for foreign tourists.

6) World Peace Pagoda

Picture of World Peace Pagoda

The colored pagoda-style glorious stupa, i.e., World Peace Pagoda as Japan peace stupa. Certainly the place is one of the tourist destinations located outside the main compound of Lumbini. You can explore and visit the World Peace Pagoda, the symbol of peace that inspires you to walk the path of peace and live in unity, which is very important today. Moreover, visiting the World Peace Pagoda during the dry season, from October to May, sounds like a great plan. There is no entrance fee to visit the World Peace Pagoda.

7) Sri Lankan Monastery

Picture of Sri Lankan Monastery

Sri Lankan Monastery is referred to as the Sri Lankan temple. It stands as a magnificent tribute to the life and significance of Gautam Buddha. This monastery is a living testament to several significant religious practices and events in Sri Lanka. The best time to visit the Sri Lanka Monastery is from October to April, May, and June to September. Entrance fee is not required to visit the Sri Lanka Monastery.

8) Korean Temple

Picture of Korean Temple

The Korean Temple stands as a tribute especially to the Korean architectural style. This is a haven of spiritual reflection, inviting all who enter to discover its unique charm. The Korean Temple’s beauty lies in its architecture and the daily meditation practiced by numerous monks who frequent this sacred space, infusing it with a sense of calm and renewal. The best times to visit the Korean Temple are from October to April, May, and June to September. The entrance fee you pay to enter the Lumbini Development Zone will likely cover your visit to the Korean Temple. This fee depends on your nationality:

– free for SAARC nationals.

– Around USD 1.60 (NPR 200) for foreign tourists.

Conclusion

Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Buddhism or historical pilgrimage sites. The most popular attractions are the Maya Devi Temple, the Pushkarini Pond, and the Ashoka Pillar. It offers a variety of other temples and monasteries representing Buddhist countries like Myanmar, Korea, Sri Lanka, and China. Access to the Lumbini Development Zone is an entrance fee, Which includes most temples. The cost depends on your nationality. It is a place to learn about Buddhism, find inner peace, and appreciate the beauty of Nepal.

We hope you found this helpful. If you want further insights on various aspects of traveling in Nepal, do check out some of our other Blogs. And thank you for reading till the end.

FAQs on Places to Visit Lumbini

What is the entrance fee in Lumbini?

The entrance fee in Lumbini is 

  • $5  for people from foreign countries
  • Free for Nepali citizens
  • $0.20 for Indian citizens 
  • $2 for citizens from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan

How many monasteries are there in Lumbini?

Evidently, There are a total of 32 Buddhist monasteries in Lumbini.

What is the main Temple in Lumbini?

Maya Devi temple is the main temple in Lumbini.

Where was Lord Buddha born?

Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini,Kapilvastu which is a district of Nepal. 

What can you do in Lumbini?

Below are the list of things you can do in Lumbini:

  • You can meditate 
  • Visit Lumbini museum 
  • Visit Maya Devi temple

How many days do you need to see Lumbini?

You can consider taking 3 days off if you wish to visit Lumbini only. Nonetheless, if you plan on visiting other Buddhist religious places you may have to add a few more days.

Why should  I visit Lumbini?

Lumbini is a beautiful and peaceful place which holds a major significance for buddhist people as it is Lord Gautam Buddha’s birth place. You can consider visiting here if you are looking to take a break from your stressful life and looking for a peaceful place.  

How many temples are there in Lumbini?

There are a total of 5 temples in lumbini. They are

  • Maya devi temple
  • Myanmar golden temple
  • Korean temple 
  • China temple
  • Vietnam Phat Quoc temple

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