Showing 1-11 of 11 results
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Ashokan Pillar
The Indian emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini in around 249 BC, leaving behind an inscribed sandstone pillar to commemorate the occasion. After being lost for centuries, Ashoka's pillar was rediscovered by the governor of Palpa, Khadga Shumsher Rana, in 1896. The 6m high pink sandstone pillar has now been returned to its original site in front of the Maya Devi temple - the pillar isn't much to look at, but it is highly revered by Nepali Buddhists.
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East Monastic Zone
The East Monastic Zone is set aside for monasteries from the Theravada school. The area is less developed than the western zone and the track is bumpier, but many of the monasteries have peaceful woodland settings.
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Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa
The truly extravagant Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa was constructed by the German Tara Foundation and the domed ceiling of the main prayer room is covered in some inspired Buddhist murals.
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Lumbini Crane Sanctuary
The surrounding wetlands are protected as part of the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary and you stand a good chance of seeing rare sarus cranes stalking through the water meadows. There's no formal entrance to the park and no entrance fee - just stroll into the damp meadows behind the pagoda.
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Lumbini Museum
Tucked away at the back of the compound, near the bridge at the north end of the pond, the Lumbini Museum is devoted to the life of the Buddha, with artefacts and photos from Buddhist sites around the world, from Kathmandu to Candy.
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Lumbini Research Institute
Across the road from the Lumbini Museum the Lumbini Research Institute is only open to serious scholars of Buddhist history.
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Maya Devi Temple
The revered Maya Devi Temple sits on the exact site of the birth of the Buddha, according to Buddhist scholars. Excavations carried out in 1992 have revealed a succession of ruins on the site dating back at least 2200 years, including a commemorative stone on a brick plinth, matching the description of a stone laid down by Emperor Ashoka in the third century BC. There are plans to raise a grand monument on the site, but for now, the ruins are protected by a plain brick pavilion.
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Vietnam Phat Quoc Tu Temple
Just north of the Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery is the charming Vietnam Phat Quoc Tu Temple, due to be completed in 2006.
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West Monastic Zone
The West Monastic Zone is set aside for monasteries from the Mahayana school. Starting at the Eternal Flame (just north of the Maya Devi Temple), follow the dirt road along the west bank of the pond to the Panditarama International Vipassana Meditation Centre.
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World Peace Pagoda
Outside the main compound, but easily accessible by bike, the gleaming white World Peace Pagoda was constructed by Japanese Buddhists at a cost of US$1 million. Near the base of the stupa is the grave of a Japanese monk, murdered by anti-Buddhist extremists during the construction of the monument.
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Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery
The elegant Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery is one of the most impressive structures at Lumbini. Reached through a gateway flanked by Confucian deities, this elegant pagoda-style monastery looks like something from the Forbidden City.
Showing 1-11 of 11 results
