Lumbini is situated about 350 km south west of Kathmandu . It was a beautiful garden during the rule of Shakya dyanasty in southwest Nepal . This place is famous because Lord Buddha was born here in 560 B.C. The birth of Buddha at Lumbini has been recorded in the pillar inspiration ( Bhagawan Jateti Lummini game”. The pilgrimage of Ashoka to Lumbini has also been recorded in a stone pillar 300-325 BC. As a Chinese traveler Wen Seg- tsai, visited this place 300-325 AD he found there the Nativity (Ashoka) tree, a statue of lapis lazuli depicting Buddha’s Nativity scene and the marks of seven footsteps of the Buddha, enclosed and covered by lapis lazuli slabs. The monuments unearthed from these excavations are the temple of Mayadevi , (Mother of Buddha), the Ashoka pillar with its 9m-sandstone shaft having five-line inspiration, the bell capital and many things of religious and historical importance . For the visitors to lumbini few importance places to visit observe are:
Mayadevi Temple
The temple of Mayadevi , the mother of Buddha is located close to the Ashoka pillar. The statue of Mayadevi is made out of the stone which is believed to be 2000 years old. People worship Mayadevi as well as Rupadevi.
Puskar Pond
To the south of Mayadevi temple lies Puskar pond where Mayadevi took bath before giving birth to Buddha took his purifying bath in the same pond.
Lumbini Garden
The whole area of lumbini is considered as a garden. Many monasteries have been built through the help of different countries like Thailand , Srilanka, and Japan .
The whole area of lumbini Garden is going to be converted in to the international Center for Buddhist pilgrimage and studies. Professor kenzo Tange, a Japanese architech, developed the master plan of Lumbini.
