Lumbini Buddhist Circuit and village Tour is an exclusive Lumbini-only tour that focuses on visiting the ancient archaeological sites related to Buddha located in and around Lumbini. Situated in the Terai region of Nepal, Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha where he spent 29 years of his life as a Prince of Shakya Kingdom.
This tour will provide insight into the childhood and adolescent of Lord Buddha by visiting ancient ruins of Shakya and other kingdoms around Lumbini. You will explore prominent sites such as Gothihawa, Tilaurakot, Kudan, Devdaha and Ramagram out of around 62 archaeological sites that have been unearthed and preserved.
In Lumbini you will pay respects to Buddha by visiting Maya Garden, Puskarni Pond, Ashoka Pillar, Nativity Marker Stone together with Crane Sanctuary, spiritual and meditation center, Buddhist library, Lumbini Museum, international monasteries among others.
Regardless of what religion or whichever nationality you are, visiting Lumbini is a spiritiual dream for all humanity where they can learn Buddha's teachings of peace and harmony. This itinerary can be customized according to your requirements and duration.
Fly from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa which takes 30 minutes and drive from Bhairahawa to Lumbini which takes about 30 minutes. On this day you can observe Lumbini Gardens and other important sites.
Today you will spend whole day sightseeing in and around Lumbini with a tour guide. Lumbini hosts archaeological remains related to the life and times of Buddha. Mayadevi Temple, Sacred Garden, Ashoka Pillar, Nativity Stone, Puskarni Pond, Buddhist Library, Crane Sanctuary, World Peace Stupa, International Monastic Zone are some important sites among others. There are as many as 62 historically important places discovered around Lumbini such as Tilaurakot, Kudan, Gothihawa, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Aurorakot, Devadaha and Ramagrama.
Sacred Garden: The Sacred Garden was where Buddha was born in 623 BC. The garden is marked by a marker stone, the exact spot where Buddha descended at birth.
Ashoka Pillar: This stone pillar was erected by Emperor Ashoka to marked the birth spot of Buddha, almost 800 years after Buddha was born. The pillar carries inscription in Pali script.
Puskarni or Mayadevi Pond: Puskarni Pond sits right in front of Mayadevi Temple. The pond is considered to be sacred since it was here Queen Mayadevi took a bath before giving birth to Buddha.
Lumbini Museum and Lumbini Research Center: These two are located within a few meters of each other. The museum has a substantial collection of Buddhist manuscripts, sculptures and coins dating back to 4th century. The Research Center is currently being developed as a knowledge repository for the benefit of scholars, researchers, students, pilgrims as well as travelers. There are over 12,000 books on religion, philosophy, art and architecture preserved in the center.
This day you will visit religious and archaeological sites related to the life of Buddha at Gotihawa, Kudan and Tilaurakot.
Gotihawa is an important religious and archaeological site for the Buddhist. Located about 3 km southwest of Taulihawa, it is believed that Krakuchanda Buddha, who came before Shakyamuni Buddha, was born and attained Nirvana in Gotihawa. Brick relics of stupa and monasteries can be seen in the area outside modern Gotihawa village. At the centre of the main mound the remains of a broken Ashokan Pillar lie on a slab. Adjoining the pillar on the northeast side is a huge stupa with rings of wedge-shaped ancient bricks, identifying the Nirvana Stupa of Krakuchanda Buddha. The villagers are still using an ancient well to draw water in the center of the village.
Kudan is located some of 4.5 km south of Tilaurakot. It is a huge mound of structural ruins and a pond nearby appears to be that of stupa and monasteries. These are believed to the KasyaStupa, where a Kasaya (yellow robe worn by monks) was presented to Lord Buddha. This is where King Suddhodhana met Lord Buddha for the first time after he returned from Enlightenment.
Tilaurakot has been identified by archaeologists as the actual capital of Kapilvastu and the home of King Suddhodhan, father of Prince Siddhartha who later went on to become the Buddha. This is believed to be the place where Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life as prince. The Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang noted that they saw Kapilavastu in complete ruins and counted 10 deserted cities within Kapilvastu.
Today we will visit Devadaha and Ramagram for exploration. Locaetd 54 km east of Lumbini across the Rohini River, Devdaha is the ancient capital of the Koliya kingdom. It is the maternal hometown of Queen Maya Devi, Prince Siddhartha's mother, Prajapati Gautam, his stepmother, and Princess Yasodhara, his consort. This is where Prince Siddhartha spent first 29 years of his life. Seven years after his Enlightenment, Lord Buddha visited Devdaha and ordained the followers of Jain Sadhu NirgranthaNathputra. There are several other sites around Devdaha such as Kumarbarti, Khayardanda, Bairimai / Kanyamai, Bhabanipur / Devidamar, Mathagadi (ancient weapons).
Ramagrama is a brick mound on the bank of the Jharahi River. It is a 7 meter high brick stupa containing one of the eight AsthaDhatu (relics) of Lord Buddha. The king of Ramagrama, the eighth king to obtain the Buddha's relics, is believed to have built the stupa. History says that Emperor Ashoka wanted to open it to multiply into eight four thousand stupa. However, the Dragon King of Ramagramastupa did not permit it.
In the late afternoon you will fly back to Kathamandu from Bhairahawa.
Take mornigg flight from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu. Today, in the afternoon after lunch, you will have free time to explore or do shopping in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
a) Kathmandu
b) Lumbini
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