Lumbini, in the plains of southern Nepal, is one of the world’s main pilgrimage sites. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, it is traditionally considered as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama –the prince who would later become the Buddha.
The legacy of the Awakened One
Legend has it that Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, in what is now Nepal, to royal parents of the Shakya clan in 623 B.C. Raised in proper royal comfort, Siddhartha’s early life was shielded from the harsh realities of suffering, aging, and death. Yet he eventually abandoned his princely life in pursuit of truth. Renouncing his kingdom and birthrights, he became a wandering ascetic dedicated to understanding the cause of human suffering and the path to liberation.
In time, after years of intense meditation and asceticism, Siddhartha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya –and became the Buddha. His teachings laid the foundation for what would later become Buddhism, a multifaceted spiritual tradition that emphasizes the Middle Way: a balance between worldly pleasure and extreme asceticism. At the core of the Buddha’s teachings are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path –a guide to ethical living, mindfulness, and wisdom.
Thousands of pilgrims travel every year to Lumbini to walk in the footsteps of the Buddha, visiting the very places where his life and spiritual legacy began.
Lumbini’s sacred sites
Central to Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, named after the Buddha’s mother –Queen Maya Devi. The temple stands on the spot where she is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, and within its walls lies a marker stone indicating what tradition regards as the exact location of his birth. Pilgrims come to this temple to pay their respects, pray, and meditate.
Adjacent to the temple is the pond where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Maya Devi bathed before giving birth, and where the newborn Siddhartha took his first bath, purified by the Nagas –the spirits of water. The waters of this pool, still visible today, continue to attract pilgrims who see it as a symbol of purity, and a place for spiritual purification.
Lumbini is also home to the Ashoka Pillar, an ancient monument erected by the great emperor of India, Ashoka, during his visit to the site in 249 BC. Accompanied by his teacher, Upagupta, Ashoka came to Lumbini to honor the birthplace of the Buddha, and to spread the teachings of Buddhism. The pillar bears an inscription marking the site of the Buddha’s birth and commemorates the seven steps that the Buddha is said to have taken immediately after his birth, signifying his future role as a great teacher.
Other important sites in and around Lumbini include Kapilvastu, the ancient capital of the Shakya kingdom where the Buddha spent much of his early life, and Devdaha, another important pilgrimage site associated with the Buddha’s maternal family. Pilgrims and visitors are also drawn to the monasteries and temples built by different Buddhist communities –a clear testimony of the diversity of Buddhist traditions.
A place for peace and reflection
For those seeking peace and spiritual reflection, Lumbini offers it all. The serene surroundings, combined with a deep sense of history, make it an ideal place for meditation and introspection. The vast Lumbini Garden, home to monasteries built by Buddhist nations from around the world, allows pilgrims to explore the teachings of the Buddha under different traditions, while reflecting on their own spiritual experience.
A Journey to the Heart of Buddhism
Lumbini’s significance as one of the holiest sites in Buddhism is confirmed in the Parinibbana Sutta, where Lord Buddha himself designated it as one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for his followers. Along with Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, Lumbini holds an irreplaceable place in one of the world’s great spiritual traditions –Buddhism.
