LUMBINI, NEPAL - BIRTHPLACE OF BUDDHA
Visit Buddha's birthplace or international Buddhist monasteries; study Buddhism or meditate! LUMBINI BIRTHPLACE OF BUDDHA
One of the world's most important spiritual sites is home to the historic birthplace of the Buddha. Today you can visit over 25 international Buddhist monasteries, study Buddhism, meditation and visit Buddha's birthplace itself within the s
acred Mayadevi Gardens! Lumbini in Nepal
Mayadevi Temple is one of the important sites in the Lumbini Garden with many historians and archaeologists referring to it as the place of birth of Lord Buddha. Inscriptions on the Ashoka Pillar also refers the spot as his birthplace. It is said that here the newly born Prince took his first seven steps and gave a peace message to humanity. This happened in the beautiful Sal grove, which is now the focal point of the Lumbini Garden. Mayadevi, the Queen of Shakya King Suddhodhana of Kapilvastu, while passing through the Lumbini Garden, on the day of Baishakha Purnima (full moon day of May in 623 BC) took a bath in the Pushkarini (the Sacred Pond) and soon after she took support of a tree branch, and gave birth to the Prince Siddhartha, who became the Buddha. Visit beautiful monasteries built by different Buddhist countries like China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Germany and observe the different architecture and prayer areas. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and above all visit the Mayadevi Temple which dates back to 2,200 years, which archaeological evidence proclaim as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam or Lord Buddha in 623 BC. You can walk around the garden or find a peaceful meditative spot to contemplate. The focal point for pilgrims is a sandstone carving depicting the birth of the Buddha, reputedly left here by the Malla King Ripu Malla, in the 14th century, when Mayadevi was worshipped as an incarnation of the Hindu mother goddess. Another main attraction is the Ashokan Pillar, which was built by the great Indian Emperor Ashoka while visiting the birthplace of Buddha back in 249 BC. One can visit the Panditarama Vipassana Center for some yoga and meditation and interact with the monks, who live in the vicinity of the monasteries , devoting their time to balancing the environment with religious worship. The Lumbini Garden covers an area of 2.56 sq km or 1 x 3 sq miles and encompasses three zones each covering one square mile connected with walkways and a canal. The area has sub tropical monsoon climate with warm wet season. If you are planning on traveling to exotic places in South Asia looking to find some Nirvana, then do not miss Lumbini in Nepal.
“An Unforgettable Journey”
Trip Facts
Duration: 5 Days
Activity Canyon Swing,Trekking,Rafting,Tour, Fishing, Most Popular
Destination Nepal
Arrive: Kathmandu
Depart: Kathmand
Our homeland is exotic- nothing like anything out there; its people, culture, architecture and most of all our pride and joy, the Himalayas roofing the world! So come, follow us ...into the Himalayas we know so well. We will take you on journeys of discovery – from ancient places where the dark nights mysteriously come alive with colourful local dances; into the mountains, pristine, pure and breathtakingly beautiful, onto wild sanctuaries where tigers prowl and elephants become your transport! Sprite of Buddha:
Embark on a journey to reawaken yourself and reaffirm the existence of Buddhism to its birthplace. From the birth of Lord Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) in a pond in Lumbini, Buddhism has spread and adapted from its roots in Nepal to virtually every corner of the world. Buddhism offers a path, which provides guidelines for everyday living and for a caring approach to the environment. It shows us the way to live in harmony with others and the world we live in. This trail will take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like Swayambhunath Stupa & Boudhanath Stupa (built around 5th century AD) that stand tall in the heart of the country showing how prominent and powerful Buddhism is to the world today. Like the monasteries sheltering nuns and monks are located in Namoboudha, Pharping and Lumbini. Because in Albert Einstein’s words "if there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism". Detailed Itinerary
Day-01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Namaste & Welcome to Nepal! On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a Yeti Holidays’ representative will greet you at the airport and es**rt you to your hotel and help you check in. You will then be briefed about your daily activities. After lunch, you will proceed on a sightseeing tour of Boudhanath. Boudhanath:
One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal; Boudhanath is one of the holiest structures imposing a height of 36 meters with three massive level Mandala style platforms. It is surrounded by colourful buildings housing families creating a friendly enclosure. The Stupa is visited every year by tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Day-02: Sunrise from Dhulikhel & visit to Namo Bouddha
Breakfast at hotel. Dhulikhel: The spectacular snowed mountains seen from Dhulikhel must be one of the finest panoramic views in the world. When a blue haze covers the lower portion of the mountains, they seem to be floating in the air. With the snowy mountains on the backdrop, Dhulikhel is a stage of immense beauty and a paradise for nature lovers. Green inviting hills of beautifully carved agricultural terraces cater to the beholders' pleasure. Namo Bouddha:
Founded at the site where “the future Buddha sacrificed his body to a tigress” in 1978, it was a small retreat center that has now grown into a large monastery. The site is supremely sacred to Tibetan Buddhists where the perfect and supreme Buddha – at that time still on the path of learning – offered his own body without regret to a tigress and her four cubs suffering from great hunger. This legendary episode is depicted in a very nice stone slab and placed right next to a holy Stupa. On the way, if you are visiting during summer and monsoon, you will get to see how Nepalese People plant and harvest the crop. Kathmandu City:
Kasthamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu means ‘made from the timber of a single tree’. Also known as Kantipur, the capital Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's art and culture. It is a place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments. Kathmandu Durbar Square with its arrays of temples and the ancient palaces of the former Nepali Royals enriches your experience of the centuries old civilisation. Swoyambhunath:
Said to be around 2000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hill. The main stupa is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire crowned by a pinnacle of Copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The hill of Swayambhu is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples. You’ll get a scenic view of Kathmandu city from there. Day-03: FLY TO LUMBINI
After breakfast, transfer to domestic airport for flight to Lumbini. On reaching Lumbini, you’ll be assisted and transferred to your hotel by an office representative. Check-in at hotel. Lumbini is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Gautama Buddha founded Buddhism in Puskarini or Holy Pond - where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath. The remains of Kapilvastu palace where Buddha spent his younger days are preserved in Lumbini. Lumbini was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Lumbini is the perfect place to visit to if you are into cultural, archaeological and religious treasures. With the number of stupas, meditation grounds, temples, courtyards and more, a walk in Lumbini is a walk with Buddha. Enter the birthplace of one of the greatest man of world religions - Siddharta Gautama, founder of Buddhism - and be captivated by its serene environment and meditate and reflect with its outmost tranquility and peaceful atmosphere. Overnight at hotel
Day-04: FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU
After breakfast transfer to domestic airport for flight to Lumbini. Reach Lumbini and be assisted and transferred to your hotel by an office representative. After lunch, visit Benchen Monastery in Pharping. Pharping is a thriving, traditional Newari settlement. The town is popular with both Tibetan and Hindu pilgrims. The area is sacred for religious and spiritual practitioners. Benchen Monastery in Pharping is home to revered Tibetan masters. The Retreat is for a three years traditional training to become a lama. During this time, the monks devote themselves entirely to the study of the religion without any distraction. After 3 years, 3 months, and 3 weeks – on a lucky date – the first group of lamas leave the retreat. Overnight at hotel
Day-05: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel | Free till departure | Escorted to Tribhuvan International Airport | You leave this magical country.