Lumbini
The traditional birthplace of the Buddha preserves the Maya Devi Temple, Ashokan pillar, ancient brick structures, sacred pond, and monastic landscape.
Photo: Bibek Raj Pandeya · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Country
- Nepal
- Region
- Lumbini Province
- Civilisation
- Early Buddhist
- Period
- 1st millennium BCE onward
- UNESCO
- World Heritage ↗
Through time
The story
Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal. According to sacred texts and Buddhist commentaries, Queen Maya gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in Lumbini, c. 563 BCE. Lumbini is one of four most sacred pilgrimage sites pivotal in the life of the Buddha.
Lumbini has a number of old temples, including the Mayadevi Temple, and several new temples funded by Buddhist organizations from various countries, a few of which are still under construction. Monuments, monasteries, stupas, a museum, and the Lumbini International Research Institute are also near to the holy site. There is a puskarini, or holy pond, where Mayadevi, the Buddha's mother, is believed to have taken ritual cleansing prior to his birth, and where he was first bathed.
At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were born, achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms.
Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Maya Devi Temple
- Ashokan Pillar
- Sacred Garden
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Lumbini
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