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Top 6 Lumbini Things to Do & Lumbini Tourist Attractions

22 September 2022 Last updated at 16:32

As the world-known “the Birthplace of Lord Buddha” and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in southwest Nepal, Lumbini is a sacred destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and spiritual abstersion. The remote location and tough condition never stop the pious followers’ ardour, instead, groups of visitors keep traveling long distance from around the world to visit Lumbini.

What are the major attractions of Lumbini? The huge Lumbini Park surely is the main place to view top holy landmarks in Lumbini. The park has three main areas: the Sacred Garden with Maya Devi Temple and surrounding Bodhi Tree, Ashoka Pillar, Puskarni Pond, the Monastic Zone including over 20 exotic Buddhist monasteries built by different countries and a very beautiful green area - New Lumbini Village. More meaningful spots or ruins can be found in and near the park. Obviously, you can have lots of places to visit and things to do in Lumbini, like seeking soul-purifying Buddhism in religious sites, getting visual feast of Buddhist architectures, viewing peaceful rural scenery, escaping from chaotic urban life and experiencing a simple and natural country like. Below are top recommended things to do for your Lumbini tour.

Lumbini Top 6 Things to Do

Things to Do in Lumbini
1

Visit Maya Devi Temple to Trace Back to the Birthplace of Lord Buddha

Maya Devi Temple is the No.1 must-visit and core site in Lumbini. It is a holy Buddhist temple constructed to commemorate and worship Queen Maya, the birth mother of Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha, Sakyamuni). According to the legend, Queen Maya gave birth to Gautama in 563 BC in this beautiful flower Lumbini Garden, on her way back home for birth, and had newborn Buddha’s first bath in the Puskarini Pond. With inner ancient cornerstones dating back to 3rd century BC to 7th century AD, the two-storied white oblong temple is always visited together with three other important sites nearby: Ashoka Pillar, Puskarni Pond and Bodhi Tree.

The Ashoka Pillar standing west of Maya Devi Temple is a 6-meter-tall column built in 249 BC by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka with inscriptions. The ancient peristele is considered as a strong evidence of Gautama Buddha’s accurate birth location and Emperor Ashoka’s propagation of Buddhism. The square green pool is a sacred pool where Queen Maya took a bath before parturition and washed infant Buddha. Now pilgrims come around the pond to honor Lord Buddha and his great mother and pray for blessings. Bodhi Tree, next to the pond, is another religious highlight near Maya Divi Temple. Based on the sutra, Lord Buddha was born under a Bodhi Tree in Lumbini Park and attained enlightenment under a Bodhi Tree too. So today, many monks, Buddhist followers sit under the giant Bodhi Tree, chant sutras, make meditation and prayers. Colorful prayer flags, scrubby tree, grassy lawn and comfortable wind, old-aged ruins and the sacred temple create a peaceful Buddha world that you will be touched deep inside.

Tips: 1.) Visitors need to buy entrance tickets ahead and take off shoes, store luggage, go through security check to visit Maya Devi Temple. 2.) Better wear or prepare thick dark-colored socks, because the ground is burning hot, and you will walk on some unpaved path. 3.) No photograph is allowed in the temple.

Things to Do in Lumbini
Things to Do in Lumbini
2

Walk around Lumbini Monastic Site to Learn Buddhist Culture Worldwide

Location: Central Park Area, near Gate #3, #4, #8 and #9

Main Areas: West Monastic Zone (29 Mahayana temples), East Monastic Zone (9 Theravada temples)

Seeing different-style temples is one of the major things to do in Lumbini Park. In the 1970s, Nepal government and UNDP (United National Development Program) composed a development community and plan a zone of 20 square meters as an international Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist center. Different countries were invited to build own-style temple to promote Dharma. Until now, in this Buddhist World Expo, Nepal, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, German, France and more than 20 countries have constructed temples and a few are still under construction. These temples not only present featured Buddhist architectures, but also form a mini Buddhist world delivering distinct Buddhist culture.

Chinese Temple, one of the most popular temples in the West Monastic Zone is the first national Chinese temple built in overseas country by the Buddhist Association of China. The temple was designed based on ancient Qing Dynasty palace, with red walls, golden roofs, lovely courtyards, elegant and traditional Chinese features and symmetrical layout. Take your time to look more temples, observe the beautiful buildings and even stay a few days to experience undisturbed simple life in Dae Sung Shakya Temple (Korean Temple). Don’t miss the other unique temples, such as the most luxury Great Lotus Stupa (German), very delicate Royal Thai Monastery, Myanmar Golden Monastery (Myanmar), the Thrangu Monastery (Canada), etc.

Tips: Most temples are open during the day without any admission fee. Please behave properly when visiting the temples.

Things to Do in Lumbini
3

Cherish Peace and Love at World Peace Pagoda

The white sacred and solemn World Pace Pagoda is located far from other major spots. To inspire peace all over the world, people of Japan, Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka raised money to build it in 2000, costing around 1 million dollars. The constructors were monks from Japan. Its shape and overall look are quite similar to the Peace Pagoda in Pokhara but has other history and meaning. Above the three-tiered circular stone base, there is a hemispherical dome stupa where honors four Buddhist status in four different directions. Each stands an important stage of Lord Buddha.

The first standing Buddha sculpture shows his birth under a Bodhi Tree in Lumbini. The second sitting Buddha means he awaked and obtained englightenment under a Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India. The third one explains Gautama gave his first sermon in Sarnath, India and the last statue describes Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana after his death in Kushinagar, India. During clear days, you may overlook lush forests and villages hidden in green trees. At a distance, there is a tomb next to the stupa, which is built to memorize a Japanese monk killed by anti-Buddhists during the construction and the Japanese Temple in East Monastic Zone.

Tips: All visitors are required to take off shoes when walking up the stairs and visiting the stupa, though it is an outdoor attraction.

Things to Do in Lumbini
4

Learn Buddhist History and Culture in Lumbini Museum

Location: middle of Lumbini Park, close to Lumbini Bus Park and Parking Spot

Walking along the Central Canal to the north regions, you can easily find the Lumbini Museum, a Buddhist cultural-themed museum in a very unique appearance. It’s more respected as a library collecting massive items of Buddha’s life and religious development. You can see lots of ancient coins, religious manuscripts, potteries, stone and metal sculptures and many other historical relics made during the Maurya Empire and Kushan Empire, about 1st century to 3rd century BC. One remarkable exhibit is the Lumbini stamps and Buddhist stamps from overseas countries. If time permits, you may visit Lumbini International Research Institute sitting opposite the museum, and read one of the 12,000 books regarding religion, philosophy, art and architecture.

Things to Do in Lumbini
5

Immerse Yourself in the Serene Nature Scenery

Location: northeast of World Peace Pagoda

In the huge Lumbini Park, tourists can witness excellent example of great harmonious coexistence between human and nature. Visiting sacred ancient religious sites are the focus and top things to do in Lumbini indeed, but the quiet rural atmosphere and pleasant, beautiful nature is also a precious gift blessed by Lord Buddha. In the small Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, you can possibly see rare Sarus Crane and grey cranes walking gracefully and herons foraging in the wetland. Getting out of the park, there are some Nepali villages dotted around, so local life scenes, like riding, walking and Nepalese people can be seen commonly. What’s the most surprising sight? The evergreen idyllic scenery and refreshing air must be the best.

Things to Do in Lumbini
6

Share Festival Enjoyment during Buddha Jayanti

Date: usually in April or May

Nepal is a famous country celebrating many religious events. In Lumbini, the most important and grandest festival is the Buddha Jayanti, which commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha. At that time, many Buddhists and followers come all the way to Lumbini to attend the ceremony. Hilarious parade and special Buddhist rites will be held in Lumbini. Pilgrims will also spend Purnima (full moon) and Astami each month in Lumbini to mourn the Lord’s mother - Queen Maya.

How to Plan a Nepal Tour

Best time to visit Nepal: March to mid-June and mid-September to November

How to get to Nepal: overland driving from China (Tibet) and India, flights from China (Tibet, Chengdu…), India (Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata/Bengaluru...), Bangladesh (Dhaka), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Thailand (Bangkok), Singapore, etc.

Nepal Visa: you can get Nepal Visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport and border entry ports, or apply for it from Nepal Embassy abroad before departure, which takes about 1 to 3 working days.

Tourists always start a Nepal tour from Kathmandu - the capital city and tourist distribution center. 4 days is enough to enjoy the world heritage sites and Himalayan views in Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot). For those travelers who won’t want to miss the most astonishing nature of Nepal, spend 1 or 2 more days visiting lakeside Pokhara. For more experience, Chitwan is a good choice to offer Nepal’s oldest wildlife (various mammal and birds species) as well as a variety of excursions in 2 days usually. If you are a Buddhist follower or fan, travel Lumbini and other Buddhist sites in 3~4 more days. If you are a trekking enthusiast, there is a bucket of trekking routes, like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, etc.

☞ 4 Days Classic Kathmandu Valley Tour
☞ 5 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Leisure Tour (by Flight)
☞ 8 Days Nepal Holiday Tour (Kathmandu - Pokhara - Chitwan)

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Recommended Nepal Tour Packages with Lumbini

Following are 3 most recommended Lumbini tour packages that you may be interested in. All tour packages are customizable to meet your personal requirements. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want.