Lumbini-The birth place of Buddha and origin of Buddhism-Must visit once in lifetime!

Whoever knows Gautama Buddha and Buddhism will know Lumbini pretty well. It’s in Nepal and close to the Uttar Pradesh border in India and can be easily reached within 3 hours from the Sunauli border near Gorakhpur in India. Many monasteries are based on country-wise architecture, Buddha’s birthplace and the Bodhi tree. It roughly takes a day and will be a beautiful experience.

5 Big Reasons why you must visit Lumbini:

Lumbini Museum is a prime attraction which showcases metal sculptures, ancient coins, stamps, potteries, and manuscripts of the Maurya Empire and Kushan Empire. There’s an International Research Institute opposite the museum, where you can read books about Buddhism and Nepal’s history.

Many temples and monasteries showcase various Buddhist architecture and cultures in Lumbini. Some of them are Dae Sung Shakya Temple (Korean Temple), Thai Monastery, Great Lotus Stupa (German) Temple, Myanmar Golden Monastery, Thrangu Monastery (Canada), etc.
The Maya Devi Temple is the prime reason you will be here as a traveller! It takes us back to 563BC, when Queen Maya gave birth to Gautama. There’s Puskarini pond as well, where Gautama had his first bath. There’s a 6-m tall Ashoka Pillar and a Bodhi Tree at the same spot.
Chitwan National Park is nearby and known for the One-Horned Rhino. Do spare time if you have it in hand so that you can explore this beautiful park in Nepal.

The World Peace Pagoda is another marvel that shows various stages of Buddha’s life. It’s a great place to be in the early mornings or dusk, giving a great view of Lumbini far and wide.

Location: Lumbini is 120 km from Gorakhpur (India) via Sonauli and 200 km from Pokhara(Nepal)

Tourist Attraction on the Spot:

World Peace Pagoda, Monasteries/Temples of different countries, Maya Devi Temple, Museum, Eternal Peace Flame

Tourist Attractions in the Vicinity:

Pokhara, Kathmandu, Muktinath, Tilaurakot, Gotihawa, Kudan, and Sagarhawaare some places you can visit from this place within the country of Nepal.

Distance Charts:(From Lumbini)

How to Reach Lumbini:

Road Routes:

Lucknow – Gorakhpu – Sunauli (India -Nepal border) – Lumbini – Pokhara

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

Winter is the best time to be here between September and March. However, summers are hot like the Indian plains, so better avoid that time.

2) If you are planning for summer, make sure you have an umbrella and use rickshaws with a hood to beat the heat. Have water with you at all times. Start early morning/late afternoons.

3)Monasteries and museums have their timings. Do check on the Lumbini government website. Usually, afternoons are better avoided for most monasteries as they are closed. However, late afternoon or early morning, say up to 11 am, is fine for seeing the interiors of a monastery.

4)It’s great to be dressed in courtesy as Lumbini is more of a religious place. Plus, we must follow a few rules like taking off shoes before entering the temple, avoiding photography, etc.

5)Hotels are in good numbers and pretty decent, but not value for money. Still, I feel Lumbini makes for a one-day visit, so it doesn’t cause much of a fuss.

6)There is this problem all over Nepal.Some will consider Nepalese currency and some Indian.In most cases they accept both.Please make sure to ask in which currency they need to be paid.Usually the higher price denotes Nepali rupee.(1 INR is 1.6 NPR)

RAIL: Unfortunately, no. You have a rail network in east Nepal, but not near Lumbini. Gorakhpur in India is the nearest one.

You can watch the below video to get a better idea!Do like and share if you find it worth…

AIR:Lucknow in India and Kathmandu/Pokhra are airports in vicinity

ROAD:The easiest way to be here is take a ride from Gorakhpur(India) to Sunauli and from Sunauli to Lumbini.From Nepal side,you’ll need to take a bus from Pokhara in most cases.

Map:

Time to Visit:

The best time to visit will be around late September to early March.

Spend Time With:

Family, friends, solo, couple, groups

Food and Lodging:

Hotels are available but in few numbers and with not so many facilities. So online booking isn’t required. Food options are plenty. So you need to find one and eat where hygiene and food are good. Try OYO rooms if you can find decent ones there.

Expense:

For a 1 day trip to Lumbini,following is the expense:

Food:NPR 100/person/day(3 times a day)
Transport:Trust me,have a cycle or walk around and you’ll cover this place in a day for nearly free of cost-ideally for your comfort you can hire a rickshaw for 600 NPR .to reach here,add 100 NPR from Indian border(Sunauli)
Lodging:NPR 800/day at Lumbini
Entry Fees includes various places (varies):NPR 200(all in all max)

Total: 1400 NPR=900 INR(Can go upto to 2000 NPR(=1300 INR) if rickshaw is considered)

Nearby Attractions(Lumbini) :

Kathmandu(285 km)
Lucknow(330 km)
Gangtok(840 km)
Darjeeling(780 km)
Manang(330 km)
Mathura(720 km)