Lumbini

This article is about the Buddhist pilgrimage site. For other uses, see Lumbini (disambiguation).

Lumbinī
City
Mayadevi Temple — believed to mark the Buddha’s birthplace;
Lumbinī Location of Lumbini in Nepal Lumbinī Lumbinī (Nepal)
Coordinates: 27°28′53″N 83°16′33″E
Country	Nepal
Province	Lumbini Province
District	Rupandehi
Municipality	Lumbini Sanskritik
Government
• Type	Development trust
• Body	Lumbini Development Trust
Elevation	150 m (490 ft)
Time zone	UTC+05:45 (NST)
Postal code	32914
Website	www.lumbinidevtrust.gov.np

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location	Rupandehi District, Nepal
Criteria	Cultural: iii, vi
Reference	666
Inscription	1997 (21st Session)
Area	198.95 ha
Buffer zone	22.78 ha
Coordinates

Map of Lumbini in relation to other Eight Great Places Buddhist pilgrimage sites and notable nearby cities

Lumbinī (Nepali pronunciation: [ˈlumbini], "the lovely") is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal. According to Buddhist tradition, Queen Maya gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in Lumbini around 624 BCE.

Siddhartha Gautama later attained Enlightenment, becoming the Shakyamuni Buddha and founding Buddhism. He passed into parinirvana at the age of 80, traditionally dated to c.544 BCE.

Lumbini is one of the four most sacred pilgrimage sites central to the life of the Buddha. The site contains ancient and modern temples, including the Mayadevi Temple. Many were constructed by Buddhist communities from around the world. The sacred area also includes monasteries, stupas, a museum, and the Lumbini International Research Institute. The nearby Puskarini (Holy Pond) is believed to be where Queen Maya bathed before Siddhartha's birth, and where the infant Buddha had his first bath. Earlier Buddhas are also believed to have been born, enlightened, and attained parinirvana in the area.

Lumbini was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Lumbini in Buddha’s lifetime

During the time of the Buddha, Lumbini was located to the east of Kapilavastu and to the south-west of Devadaha, both key cities of the Shakya republic, an ancient oligarchic polity.

According to Buddhist tradition, it was at Lumbini that Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become the Buddha, was born.

The most important archaeological evidence supporting this tradition is the Ashoka Pillar of Lumbini—a monolithic column bearing an inscription in ancient Brahmi script. Discovered in 1896 at present-day Rupandehi District, the pillar is believed to commemorate the pilgrimage of Emperor Ashoka to the birthplace of the Buddha. Notably, the site was not identified as "Lumbini" before the discovery of the pillar.

The inscription, translated by S. Paranavitana, reads:

When King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped (this spot) because the Buddha Shakyamuni was born here. (He) both caused to be made a stone bearing a horse and caused a stone pillar to be set up, (in order to show) that the Blessed One was born here. (He) made the village of Lumbini free of taxes, and paying (only) an eighth share (of the produce).

Ancient texts such as the Sutta Nipāta (v. 683) mention that the Buddha was born in a village of the Śākyans in the Lumbineyya Janapada. The region around the modern site was historically referred to as Rupandehi, located about 2 mi (3.2 km) north of Bhagavanpura.

The Buddha is also recorded to have visited the Lumbinīvana—the grove of Lumbini—during his return to Devadaha, where he preached the Devadaha Sutta.

Religious significance

Marker stone of Gautama Buddha's birth at Mayadevi Temple

Before his parinirvana at the age of eighty, Gautama Buddha spoke to his disciples about the importance of Lumbini as a sacred site for pilgrimage. This teaching is recorded in the Dīgha Nikāya, 16 (Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta):

There are, O monks, four places on earth which a believing householder's son or a believing householder's daughter should commemorate as long as they live. Which are those four?

– here the Venerable One has been born – here the Venerable One has attained the unsurpassable complete enlightenment – here the Venerable One has turned the threefold-turning, twelve-spoked lawful wheel

– here the Venerable One has gone to the realm of complete nirvāṇa.

— Dīgha Nikāya, 16; Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta

Lumbini, being the birthplace of the Buddha, is one of the four most sacred pilgrimage sites in Buddhism. The other three are:

• Bodh Gaya – where the Buddha attained enlightenment
• Sarnath – where he delivered his first sermon
• Kushinagar – where he attained parinirvana

These four sites collectively form the core of the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit and are revered by Buddhists across the world.

Archaeological excavations

Mayadevi Temple, 2013

Further information: Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini

"May Peace Prevail on Earth" sign in front of the gate of Lumbini

New excavations at the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini in 2013 revealed some of the most ancient Buddhist shrines in South Asia, extending the history of the site to a much earlier period.

According to archaeologist Robin Coningham, excavations beneath the existing brick structures at the temple uncovered evidence of an older timber structure beneath a brick shrine built during the Ashokan era (3rd century BCE). The layout of this later shrine closely mirrors that of the earlier timber structure, suggesting a continuity of worship. The earlier structure appears to have been an ancient tree shrine.

Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from postholes, along with optically stimulated luminescence dating of soil elements, suggests human activity at Lumbini may have begun around 1000 BCE.

Coningham and his team suggest that the site may represent a Buddhist monument from the 6th century BCE. However, other scholars dispute this interpretation. Richard Gombrich argues that the excavations yielded no distinctively Buddhist material and only show that the site predates the Buddha.

Pillar of Ashoka

Further information: Lumbini pillar inscription

Ashoka Pillar of Lumbini

The Ashoka Pillar at Lumbini stands as one of the most significant archaeological and historical landmarks in Nepal. It was rediscovered in 1896 by General Khadga Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, then Commander-in-Chief of the Nepalese Army, and German archaeologist Alois Anton Führer. Their discovery confirmed the site’s importance through accounts made by the Chinese monk-pilgrims Faxian (5th century CE) and Xuanzang (7th century CE), who both identified Lumbini as the Buddha’s birthplace.

The stone pillar bears a Brahmi inscription dating back to the 3rd century BCE, issued by Ashoka, the emperor of the Maurya Empire. This inscription verifies that Ashoka visited Lumbini and recognized it as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

At the top of the pillar is a second inscription from the 13th–14th century CE, attributed to King Ripumalla, dated to 1234 in the Saka Era. The inscription, written in devotional tone, reads:

Om mani padme hum May Prince Ripu Malla be long victorious 1234

— Inscription of King Ripumalla on the Lumbini Ashoka pillar, 1234 Saka Era (13–14th century).

In addition to the Lumbini pillar, two other pillars of Ashoka are located nearby:

• Nigali Sagar pillar – Located 22 kilometers northwest of Lumbini, it bears an inscription.
• Gotihawa pillar – Situated 24 kilometers west of Lumbini, but it lacks any inscription.

These monuments collectively reinforce the sacred geography of the Buddha’s life and the historical depth of Lumbini.

Modern Lumbini complex

World Peace Pagoda in Lumbini

The modern Lumbini complex covers an area of approximately 4.8 km (3 mi) in length and 1.6 km (1.0 mi) in width. It is carefully planned and divided into distinct zones, maintaining the sanctity of the site while promoting global Buddhist heritage.

Sacred Garden

At the heart of the complex lies the Sacred Garden, the spiritual nucleus of Lumbini. This area includes the exact spot believed to be the birthplace of Buddha, marked by the Marker Stone, the Mayadevi Temple, the Ashokan Pillar, the Nativity Sculpture, and the Puskarini Sacred Pond. Surrounding the temple are ruins of ancient monasteries and stupas, where pilgrims from various countries gather from dawn to dusk for chanting and meditation.

• 
  Ancient ruins at Lumbini
• 
  Bodhi tree
• 
  Mayadevi Temple and ruins of ancient monasteries

Monastic Zone

Bordering the Sacred Garden is the Monastic Zone, which spans one square mile and is strictly reserved for monastic construction—commercial establishments such as shops, hotels, and restaurants are prohibited. This zone is divided into:

• The East Monastic Zone, representing the Theravada school of Buddhism.
• The West Monastic Zone, representing the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.

A long canal separates the two zones, flanked by pedestrian walkways and connected by several brick arch bridges. Motorboats operate at the northern end, offering visitors scenic rides along the canal. Many countries have built monasteries in their own national styles, reflecting their cultural, architectural, and spiritual heritage.

Cultural Center and New Lumbini Village

To the north of the Monastic Zone lies the Cultural Center and New Lumbini Village. This area includes the Lumbini Museum, Lumbini International Research Institute, the World Peace Pagoda of Japan, the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, and various administrative offices. It serves as an educational, ecological, and research-oriented section of the complex.

The Government of Bangladesh is currently constructing a major Buddhist monastery in Lumbini.

International Monasteries Gallery

• 
  Nepalese Temple
• 
  Indian Temple
• 
  Japanese Stupa
• 
  Royal Thailand Monastery
• 
  Chinese Monastery
• 
  German Monastery
• 
  French Monastery
• 
  Sri Lankan Temple
• 
  South Korean Temple
• 
  Cambodian Monastery
• 
  Austrian Monastery
• 
  Singapore Monastery
• 
  Canadian Temple
• 
  Vietnamese Temple
• 
  Urgen Dorjee Choling Centre
• 
  Golden Temple of Myanmar
• 
  Russian Monastery (under construction, April 2024)

International relations

Lumbini, as the birthplace of the Buddha, plays a significant role in Nepal’s international image, contributing to its soft power, cultural diplomacy, and bilateral and multilateral relations. The site regularly hosts high-profile diplomatic visits, cultural events, and international development efforts.

Relations with India

Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lumbini on Buddha Purnima

Nepal and India share deep cultural and religious ties, exemplified by frequent visits and collaborations in Lumbini. On Buddha Purnima in 2022, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly laid the foundation stone for an Indian monastery in Lumbini.

Nepal-India cultural festivals are held annually in Lumbini, showcasing the close spiritual and cultural ties between the two nations.

Engagement with the United Nations

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations speaking in Lumbini (2023)

In October 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Lumbini and urged the global community to reflect on the teachings of Buddhism amid growing international crises. He highlighted the importance of peace and compassion in the context of global conflicts, including in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Africa.

Cultural and Spiritual Diplomacy

The Buddhist connection has made Lumbini a pilgrimage and diplomatic hub. Nipponzan Myohoji built a Peace Pagoda in 2001, attracting global visitors. Thousands of Hindus, who view Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, visit during the full moon of Baisakh (April–May) to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi, the mother goddess.

Lumbini was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, enhancing its global cultural significance.

In 2011, the Lumbini Development National Director Committee was formed under Prime Minister Prachanda to oversee Lumbini’s development as a global peace and tourism destination.

Commemorative Symbolism

Nepal’s central bank introduced a special 100-rupee note featuring Lumbini and Mayadevi, Buddha’s mother, during the Dashain festival season. It includes features such as a silver metallic portrait, a tactile black dot for the visually impaired, Roman script, and both Gregorian and Bikram Sambat dates. The note was issued following a cabinet decision on 27 August.

Tourism

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites for Buddhists worldwide and a major destination for international and domestic tourists. In 2019, Lumbini received 1.5 million tourists from across the globe.

Transport

Lumbini is located approximately 10 hours by road from Kathmandu and about 30 minutes from Bhairahawa. The nearest airport is Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa, offering regular flights to and from Kathmandu.

Places of interest

• Maya Devi Temple
• World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini
• Ashoka Pillar
• Lumbini Crane Sanctuary

Hotel development and airport expansion

The Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa, which serves Lumbini, is currently undergoing expansion to upgrade it to international standards. Though the latest official deadline for completion was originally set for 2019, the ongoing work has already attracted significant investment in tourism infrastructure.

The anticipated increase in international visitors has triggered a hotel construction boom in and around Lumbini, with new hotels being developed to accommodate the expected rise in tourist numbers.

Sister cities

Lumbini has four official sister cities:

• Kushinagar, India (2022)
• Bodh Gaya, India
• Cáceres, Spain
• Kōya, Japan

See also

• Bodh Gaya
• Sarnath
• Kushinagar
• Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini
• Lumbini Buddhist University
• Lumbini Development Trust
• Lumbini pillar inscription
• Pillars of Ashoka
• Ramagrama stupa
• Kindo Baha
• Pranidhipurna Mahavihar
• Rajgir
• World Peace Pagoda
• List of stupas in Nepal
• List of Buddhist monasteries in Nepal

Further reading

• Lumbini - The birthplace of Lord Buddha in Nepal. Completing the Kenzo Tange master Plan. UNESCO.

Bibliography

• Weise, Kai; et al. (2013), The Sacred Garden of Lumbini – Perceptions of Buddha's Birthplace (PDF), Paris: UNESCO, archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2014

External links

• Lumbini On Trial: The Untold Story
• Lumbini travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Lumbini at the Open Directory Project
• Lumbini at WorldHeritageSite.org Listing