Lumbini - The birth place of Lord Buddha!

Lumbini is the traditional birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who was born in the 7th or 6th century BC.

According to Buddhist tradition, Maya Devi (or Mayadevi) gave birth to the Buddha on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha in the month of May in the year 642 BC. Feeling the onset of labor pains, she grabbed hold of the branches of a shade tree and gave birth to Siddharta Gautama, the future Buddha. The Buddha is said to have announced, "This is my final rebirth" as he entered the world. Buddhist tradition also has it that he walked immediately after his birth and took seven steps, under each of which a lotus flower bloomed.

Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, is situated about 22 km. from Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar), below the Churia range, 24 km. south from the foothills of the Himalayas, on the western bank of Telar river in Rupandehi district of Lumbini zone in Nepal. It is about 300 km. west of capital city Kathmandu. Kapilvastu, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi Terai districts of Lumbini Zone are around Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, which are fertile and densely populated.
It is about 34 km. from Naugarh Railway Station on the North-Eastern Railway of India. Buddha, Known as the Lord of Asia, was born in Lumbini during the full moon day in the month of Baisakh in 623 BC. He was born under a sal (Shorea robusta) tree when Mayadevi was going to her maternal town on the occasion of delivery.
Suttanipata has mentioned the earliest description of the birth of Buddha in Lumbini. After the birth of Buddha he took seven steps towards north and, looking in all directions, he declared that "I am the foremost of all creatures to cross the riddle of the ocean of the existence, this is my last birth and here after, I will not be born again". The site is spelt as Rummindei or Rupandei (beautiful lady), the perverted form of Rupa devi, the queen Anjana of the king of Devadaha which was situated to the east of Kapilvastu in ancient time. The site is called Lun- min and La-Fa-Ni by the Chinese pilgrims Fa- Hien and Hiuen- Tsiang respectively. In course of exploration of the ancient Buddhist sites General Cunningham has mentioned La-Fa-Ni is Sanskrit Lavani, a beautiful lady. In Buddhist literature it is known as Pradimoksa vana blessed with various trees and flowers, which is compared to the Chittalata grove of Indra's paradise in heaven. The earliest Pali text Suttanipata has mentioned that, "The wisdom- child, that Jewel so precious, which can not be matched, has been born at Lumbini, in the Sakya land for well being and joy in the world of men". A Muslim historian of India named Abul Fazal has called Mokta. It is also known as Paderiya (Parariya) where the Asokan pillar is located in the Nepalese Terai. The name of the site is spelt Lumminigame and Lumbini Vana in the Asokan pillar Edict still standing at the same place. Mukherji has also mentioned the name Rummin-dei in his report. In the Magadhi language, being used in the north-eastern pillar edicts in India and Nepal, 'la' is invariable substituted for 'ra'. The location of Lumbini is pointed out in the Buddhist literature, as well as, in the records of the Chinese pilgrims who visited India in the fifth and seventh centuries AD. As mentioned in Jataka story this sal garden was in joint possession of the Sakayas and Koliyas during the life time of Buddha. The Mahavamsa, a Ceylones chronicle, and Nidana katha have also located it between Kapilvastu and Devadaha. The sal garden was the place of recreation during the reign of the Sakayas and Koliyas.
 Buddha charita of Asvaghosa describes Lumbini as "gay like the garden of caitra ratha with trees of every kind. According to Fa- Hien it is located about 50 li east of Kapilvastu. Hiuen- Tsiang had also pointed out that it was about 80 or 90 li.(21.729 or 24.445 km.) north-east of arrow-well. It was linked through popular ‘Uttara path' to Kapilvastu, Ramagrama and other important cities during the Buddhist period. The present location of Lumbini, the exact birth place of Lord Buddha, is absolutely clear.
In 249 BC, the Buddhist convert Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini and constructed four stupas and a stone pillar. Ashoka's Pillar bears an inscription that translates as: "King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan ["blessed one"] having been born here. Lumbini village was taxed reduced and entitled to the eight part (only)".
Monasteries and temples were built at Lumbini until the 9th century, but Buddhism declined in the area after the arrival of Islam and later Hinduism. All that remained was a sculpture, revered by local women as a fertility symbol. The garden of the Buddha's birth was lost for a thousand years.
The site was rediscovered in 1895, when a German archaeologist came upon Ashoka's Pillar, identified by its inscription. Records made by the Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian were also used in the process of identifying this religiously acclaimed site. Lumbini was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Lumbini lies in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. The site is a large garden with a grove of pipal trees. The area around Lumbini is entirely Hindu, but many Buddhist temples and shrines from various nations are scattered around the holy site itself.
The most important temple at Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, which enshrines the traditional site of the Buddha's birth. The current temple stands on the site of earlier temples and stupas, including the stupa built by Ashoka.
The modern temple consists mainly of simple white building that protects ancient ruins, with the exact spot of the Buddha's birth identified. The delicate sandstone sculptures discovered here are now in the National Musuem inKathmandu.
Atop the temple is a small square tower of the type seen in Kathmandu, with Buddha eyes on each side and a golden pinnacle on top.
On the south side of the temple is a sacred pool (see top photo), where it is said Maya Devi bathed before giving birth, and where the newborn Buddha was washed by two dragons.
The Maha Devi temple is surrounded by the brick foundations of ancient temples and monasteries. All around Lumbini, long lines of colorful prayer flagsare strung between trees. They carry prayers and mantras heavenward as they flap on the breeze.
The other main sight of interest at Lumbini is Ashoka's Pillar, near the temple. It is protected by a small fence, which is decorated with prayer flags and banners from the faithful. Around the courtyard containing the pillar are bowls for incense sticks, and there is room to sit in front of the pillar for contemplation
Lumbini is in west-central Nepal near the Indian border. It is not terribly easy to get to, and the site does not receive a large amount of visitors. Most pilgrims to Lumbini come from Southeast Asia, Japan and Tibet, but westerners come regularly as well.

Chitwan National Park

Established in 1973, the Royal Chitwan National Park is the oldest National Park and wildlife reserve in Nepal. the Royal Chitwan National Park is located in the Tarai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. UNESCO designated the park as a World Heritage Site in the year 1984. The park covers an area of around 1000 square kilometers and supports a fragile ecosystem. It contains the Churiya hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu, and Narayani Rivers in its circumference.
As far as the flora is concerned, nearly 70% of the Royal Chitwan National Park vegetation comprises Sal forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%) and Pines (5%). The grasslands have a diverse composition comprising more than 50 species. The Saccharin, popularly known as elephant grass, can reach as high as 8 meters in height. The park also supports a very vivid and distinct fauna. According to a conservative estimate by the UNESCO, the park has at least 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles. Among animals, one-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger, and Crocodile are given special attention. It is estimated that the current population of the endangered one-horned Rhino is around 400. Apart from that, the park also has a sizeable population of Gaur, Wild Elephant, four-horned Antelope, Striped Hyena, Pangolin, Gangetic Dolphin, Monitor Lizard, Python, Chital, Hog, Deer, Barking Deer,Common Leopard, Palm Civet and Rhesus Monkeys. A few of the common birds seen are Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, and different species of egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park lies to the Northeast of Kathmandu and is the second conserved area to come up in Nepal after the Royal Chitwan National Park. The Sagarmatha National Park was conceived in the year 1976. Sagarmatha National Park covers an area of 1,148 square kilometers of the Himalayan ecological zone. The Sagarmath National Park includes the upper catchments areas of the Kosi Rivers. The park is largely composed of the rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas ranging from 2,845 meters at Monju to the Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters above the sea level. Other peaks that are above 6,000 meters are Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, Thamserku, Nuptse, Amadablam, and Pumori.
As far as flora of Sagarmatha National Park is concerned, Pine and Hemlock forests dominate the vegetation at the lower elevations. But above the height of 3,500 meters, these trees give way to Silver Fir, Birch, Rhododendron and Juniper trees. Various species of Rhododendrons show their brilliant colors in spring and monsoon.
As far as Fauna of Sagarmatha National Park is concerned, the commonly seen animals comprise Himalayan Tar and Musk deer. Others include the Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Languor, Jackal, Weasels, Marten, and the Himalayan Mouse-hare. The park provides habitat for over 118 different species of birds. The most common ones are the Impeyan Pheasant, Blood pheasant and Red and Yellow-billed choughs. The park got its name from Mount Everest itself that is called Sagarmatha in Nepalese language. UNESCO listed the park as a World Heritage Site in the year 1979.

Changu Narayan

Originally built in the early 4th century during the Licchavi dynasty, Changu Narayan was rebuilt around 1700 after the temple was destroyed by a fire.
All of the stone carvings in the temple courtyard were done between the 5th and 13th century, which makes this one of the single-greatest concentrations of ancient art in Nepal.Narayan, or Vishnu, is the preserver of creation to Hindus. His temple near Changu village is often described as the most ancient temple in the Kathmandu Valley. A fifth century stone inscription, the oldest to be discovered in Nepal, is located in the temple compound and it tells of the victorious King Mandev. The temple now covers sixteen hundred years of Nepalese art history. The temple, built around the third century, is decorated by some of the best samples of stone, wood, and metal craft in the Valley.

Pashupatinath - Holy Temple of lord Shiva

Pashupatinath is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal.The richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred phallic symbol. Devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in the holy Bagmati River beside the temple. This is one of the most sacred Hindu cremation sites. UNESCO publishes it as a world heritage  There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines, and temples dedicated to other deities in the complex. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. However, the present temple was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1697. A gold-plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction. Guheswari Temple, restored in AD 1653, represents the female "force". It is dedicated to Satidevi, Shiva's first wife, who gave site up her life in the flames of her father's fire ritual.

Boudhanath Stupa

Bouddhanath. Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries.Many people believe that Bouddhanath was constructed in the fifth century, but definite proof is lacking. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage who is venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus.

Swayambhu Nath Stupa

Swayambhunath temple is the most popular temple for the buddhist and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal which is on the top of a hill west of kathmandu. The history of the Valley, according to the legends, begins with Swayambhu, or "the self-existent".
This Buddhist temple is proudly situated on the top of a hill in the middle of the Valley. The unique architecture of Swayambhunath is one of the most easily recognizable symbols of Nepal. From here one can enjoy a spectacular views of the Kathmandu City. Legend says that long long time ago the valley was a lake and it was known as the serpent's lake. The Buddha Vipaswi came to the lake and threw a lotus plant saying, "when this plant brings forth a flower, then Swayambhu, the self existent one shall be revealed as a light."

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is much larger and more spacious than Kathmandu's and much less crowded with temples than Patan's. The disasterous earthquake in 1934 destroyed many of the beautiful monuments in the square and it is now marked only by empty platforms where they once stood.
Today it covers an area of four square miles and is flanked by Khasa Khusung and Hanumante Rivers. The palace complex in the middle of the city portrays the prosperity of the Malla years and the details at which the craftspeople then worked. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows stands in the square and it was home to many kings of Bhaktapur. They even ruled over Kathmandu and Patan from the twelfth century to the 14th century. Among the other monuments in Bhaktapur are the big bell, the Golden Gate, the five-tiered temple of Nyatapola, the Bhairab Temple, and the Dattatreya Square with its woodcarving and metalwork museums. Surrounded by beautiful farming area, the traveler to Bhaktapur will easily fall in love with the city.

Patan Durbar Square

The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur meaning, city of beauty. It is indeed a city of beauty and grace and is planned on a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four point of the compass. Patan is probably one of the oldest Buddhists.he streets in this area are home to inetal sculptors of the present day. Many more temples dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, Shiva, Narasingha, Taleju, and others are situated in the Patan Durbar Square.Like Kathmandu, its centre of attraction, its Durbar Square complex, situated right in the middle of the market place. The city is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is also known as the city of artists. These days one can see the beautiful palace complex and squares built during the Malla period.