By air
Gautam Buddha International, Bhairahawa (BWA), ~20 km
Nepal & Bhutan · Nepal
Lumbini, Nepal
The birthplace of the Buddha
Getting there
Best time to visit
October to March — dry and mild
Don't miss
The Maya Devi Temple
The Ashoka Pillar
The Sacred Garden
The World Peace Pagoda
Things to do
The Maya Devi Temple
Meditation
Cycling the monastic zone
Where to eat
What to pack
Modest clothing, a sun hat
A quieter corner
The monastic zone's international temples, by bicycle
Questions travellers ask
Why is Lumbini important?
It's the birthplace of the Buddha. Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar and the Sacred Garden.
What's the best way to see Lumbini's monastic zone?
By bicycle, taking in its international temples.
What should I wear in Lumbini, and when should I go?
Modest clothing and a sun hat. October to March is dry and mild.
Which airport serves Lumbini?
Gautam Buddha International at Bhairahawa (BWA), about 20 km away.
About Lumbini
- Inland
Where it is
Lumbini lies on the plains of the Terai in the Rupandehi district of southern Nepal, in Lumbini Province, a short distance from the border with India.
History
Buddhist tradition holds that Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, in the gardens of Lumbini around the 6th century BC. The emperor Ashoka came on pilgrimage in the 3rd century BC and set up an inscribed stone pillar recording the birthplace; the site was forgotten for centuries until the pillar was rediscovered in 1896, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
People
The farming villages around Lumbini are home to Madhesi and Tharu communities who speak Nepali and Terai languages such as Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Tharu, and who farm the plain. Monks, nuns and pilgrims from across the Buddhist world live and pray in the monasteries, above all at Buddha Jayanti, the Buddha's birthday.
Known for
- The Maya Devi Temple and its marker stone
- The Ashoka Pillar
- The Sacred Garden and Puskarini pond
- The monastic zone's international temples
- The World Peace Pagoda
Did you know?
The Ashoka Pillar at Lumbini carries a 3rd-century BC inscription recording the emperor's visit and stating that the Buddha Shakyamuni was born here.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.