Lumbini is located in Kapilavasthu in the district of
Rupandehi bordering India. It is one among the four important pilgrimage sites
for the Buddhists according to the events that took place in the life of
Siddhartha who came to be known as Buddha. It is the place where he was born.
The remaining three locations can be found in India, with Bodhgaya being the
place where he achieved enlightenment, Sarnath, where he delivered his first
prominent discourse and Kushinagar, where he left his earthly body. Hence, for
the Buddhists Lumbini has a special place in their hearts.
 |
| Lumbini the Birthplace of Buddhism [source] |
Lumbini can be reached from Sunauli via Katmandu Pokhara or
Varanasi. The history of Lumbini is what makes it so conspicuous. According to
the legends, in 642 BC in the month of May, Mayadevi, wife of King Suddhodana
was on her way, going towards her parent’s home which was in Devadaha.
Spellbound by Lumbini gardens and its beauty, she decided to rest for a while
here when she suddenly felt labor pangs. She gave birth to Tathagata (Buddha),
under a sal tree, clutching onto a drooping branch, in Lumbini Gardens. It is
also maintained that immediately after birth, Siddhartha Gautham (Name for
Buddha) walked seven steps and right where the tiny steps were taken lotuses
bloomed. Hence, Lumbini holds so much reverence in the minds of the pilgrims
here.
Ashoka who converted to Buddhism is said to have visited
Lumbini around 249 BC. On his visit here he is said to have constructed a
pillar along with 4 Stupas. The pillar shows an image of a horse and there is
an inscription on it which speaks of his visit to Lumbini on his 20th year as a
king, and how as a sign of respect to his beloved Buddha he marked the entire
region as a tax free zone. However, with an increase in the popularity of
Hinduism and Islam, Buddhism slowly began to lose popularity except among a few
who still frequented this place as it was considered as a symbol of fertility.
However as time passed this garden was lost to the world, till a German
Archaeologist by name Fuhrer, stumbled upon the pillar in the year 1895. Having
checked the inscriptions of King Ashoka, and on checking the records that were
made by a Chinese Pilgrim, Fa Xian, who had visited this place, the place was
restored to its former glory and the world rediscovered the Birth place of
Buddha. The place has been protected after it was declared a World Heritage
Site.
 |
| Pillar and statue near the Lumbini Museum [source] |
Lumbini Gardens is a sight to behold. Lying at the foothills
of Himalayas surrounded by nature’s grandeur, it is a huge garden with groves
of peepul trees growing in it. The place where Mayadevi gave birth to Tathagata
was consecrated with a temple called Mayadevi Temple. It is considered that the
Mayadevi temple was built upon the foundations of an earlier temple and it also
includes the stupa built by King Ashoka. The present temple is a simple, white
structure that surrounds the ancient temple protecting the old ruins and the
spot where Buddha was born is identified for the pilgrims and visitors. Another
unique feature is that all around the temple one can see colorful pieces of
cloth, strung and happily fluttering in the wind. These are prayer flags which
are considered to carry the prayers of people who string it, upwards towards
the heavens. At the South end there is a pool called the Pushkarni pond, which
is considered very sacred. According to the traditions, it is said that
Mayadevi took a customary ritual bath here before childbirth and also that
Siddhartha Gautham was given his cleansing bath in the same pool after he was
born.
 |
| Maya Devi Temple Lumbini Nepal [source] |
The other attraction in this place is the pillar which was
placed by King Ashoka. It is now protected all around by a fence. Here too you
will notice colorful prayer flagsmi which decorate the pillar. This pillar
rendered the place tax free by King Ashoka, as per the inscription, to honor
the place which was the birth place of Buddha.
Apart from the temple and pillars there are some Buddhist
temples that exist here. There is the Myanmar Temple which is a white structure
with a golden top. Close by this is the International Gauthami nun’s temple
which is a structural copy replicating Swayambhu stupa of Katmandu, Dharma
Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihara which was built by King of Mustang, Nepal Buddha
Temple etc.
Lumbini museum also attracts a lot of visitors. It has the
artifacts belonging to the period of Mauryas and Kushana Periods such as coins
belonging to that period, figurines made from terracotta, various manuscripts
belonging to that period and some stone as well as metal sculptures. It is
famed to have a rare and huge stamp collection collected from all over the
world showing the life of Buddha and Lumbini.
 |
| Lumbini Museum [source] |
Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI), which is
located close by Lumbini museum and run by Lumbini Development Trust and
Reiyukai, gives an insight into the religion and provides for extensive
research facilities for the study of the Buddhism.
There is also a Japan Peace Stupa located at the northern
end of the gardens. It has a height of about 41 meters and is quite imposing.
You will also find shops selling Buddha related items such as bronze busts and
Buddha figurines in and around Lumbini.
If you crave for some peace and quiet and want to soak up
all that there is to know about Buddha and the religion that he propagated then
it is imperative that you visit Lumbini.
0 comments:
Post a Comment