Lumbini: Birthplace of Buddha

The site where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama over 2500 years ago.
Walk around the garden of the Mayadevi Temple and find a quiet spot to contemplate. The focal point for pilgrims is a sandstone carving depicting the birth of the Buddha. The Ashoka Pillar was built by the great Indian Emperor Ashoka who became a devout Buddhist while visiting the birthplace of the Buddha back in 249 BC.

Lumbini is a large area with temples representing all Buddhist countries welcoming pilgrims and visitors.
Many of the temples offer accomodations and meditation retreats.

Sakya Guest House is a very comfortable, clean and reasonably priced guesthouse run by Tashi Rabten Ling Monastery. Located close to the historical park:  https://sakya-guesthouse.com/

Read more on Lumbini, Birthplace of Buddha:
https://ntb.gov.np/lumbini-the-birthplace-of-buddhism

Kapilavastu and the Sakya Palace:
about 27km from Lumbini is Kapilavastu, where the Buddha was raised as Prince Siddhartha

This is the remains of the East Gate of the Sakya Palace –
the gate Siddharta walked through to embark on his journey to enlightenment….
An amazing place to sit here with some silent time.

Getting to Lumbini:

From Kathmandu: approx 8-hour bus ride or 30 min. flight to Lumbini airport at Bhairahawa.
Overland from/to the India border crossing at Sunauli is approx 30km drive.

A Buddha Path-  starting  in Bodhgaya, the place of Buddha’s Enlightenment
The Mahabodhi Temple

The Boddhi Tree where Buddha gained enlightenment.

Bodhgaya is an amazing place with pilgrims coming to the Mahabodhi Temple from all Buddhist traditions. There is a range of accommodations from guesthouses to pilgrim rooms at the various temples representing all Buddhist countries.

Root Institute:

Courses on Buddhism in Tibetan Tradition and guided pilgrimages.
A sanctuary in Bodhgaya with a wonderful school and hospital serving the poor:

https://www.rootinstitute.ngo/
under the umbrella of:  https://www.fpmt.org

Getting to Bodhgaya:
By train to Gaya station in Bihar from Kolkatta or from Delhi and Varanasi.
Flights also serve Gaya airport from Delhi and certain times from Kolkatta
Seasonal flights operate directly into Gaya from Bangkok.
From Gaya airport, it is less than 30 min. drive to Bodhgaya. A little longer from Gaya city train station.

a wonderful book:
Along the Path: A Meditator’s Companion:
www.amazon.com/Along-Path-Meditators-Companion-Buddhas

The Buddha was born in Lumbini over 2500 years ago. His teaching of the existence of suffering and the way out of suffering are as applicable today as it was applicable then. The middle way he preached is more appropriate now than ever before.

Travel Gently and Live Consciously