Lumbini - Birth Place of Lord Buddha

Lumbini is the hallowed birthplace of Lord Buddha-the Apostle of Peace. The Enlightened One was born here over 2,500 years ago. The objects worth seeing here are the scattered ruins dating back to the days of the Buddha. The remains of historic palaces, monasteries, temples and above all, a stone kept by India's great king Ashoka to pinpoint the exact birthplace of the Buddha are here to take you back by ages. Many countries including China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the USA and Vietnam have built monasteries and stupas in the area. Lumbini is a recent addition in the roster of Nepal's World Heritage sites. Lumbini the birth place of Shakyamuni Buddha lies 300 km. south west of Kathmandu. Buddha's birth place is arguably the single most important historical site in Nepal and the source of one of the world's great religions. A veteran Asian traveler and author of several books writes, As millions of Christian look to Jerusalem for inspiration, as millions of Muslims turn to Mecca, so do three hundred million Buddhists seen in the sacred kingdom of Nepal, a pillar left by the great Emperor Ashoka to mark the site where Buddha was born". The 'sacred garden' where Buddha was born contains all of Lumbini's treasure; massive stone pillar erected by the emperor Ashoka in 250 BC. to pay homage to the birth place of Buddha is the oldest monuments in Nepal with the inscription recording Ashoka's visit in 249 BC. The temple of Maya Devi, containing a stone relief depicting the birth scene of Bouddha, the famous pool of 'Puskarani' where the infant was given first purification bath, an eternal flame a fitting remembrance of the Light of Asia, Tibetan monasteries and Theravada monastery are the places of interest in Lumbini. Sightseeing Places in Lumbini Maya Devi Temple - A relief depicting the nativity; Ashoka Pilar - a stone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 B.C. to mark the Buddha birthplace; Sacred Pond where Buddha's mother took bath after giving birth; Eternal Peace flame; water canal; , Ancient Archeological ruins; Myanmar Temple- A gleaming gold and white structure soaring in the sky; Gautami Nuns Temple - A replica of the Swayambhu Stupa; China Temple - An impressive gathering of pagodas and prayer room in the middle is placed a huge statue of Buddha; Korean Temple - A finest architectural representation of Korea; Bajrayana's ritual place; Dharma Swami Vihara; Vietnamese temple. Lumbini Museum - for Mauryan Kushana coins, religious manuscripts, terra-cotta, stone and metal sculpture and icons; Lumbini International Research Institute - provides 12,000 books and periodicals on religion, philosophy, art and architecture; IUCN Wetland Park - to see endangered Blue bulls, Sarus cranes and other wetland birds; Japanese Peace Stupa - Nepal's tallest Buddha's statue; Thai Temple; Sri Lankan Temple and Guest House, and 18 more monasteries from India, Germany, and many International Buddhist organizations.