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Lumbini,
the place where Lord Buddha was born, it has been a popular destination
for Buddhist pilgrims along side visitors from many parts of the world,
which has become a symbol of peace and understanding for the world
community. Lumbini like Buddha stands peacefully and calm, away from the
crowds of the cities, on the southern plains of the country, surrounded by
forests.
Buddha was believed to be born in Lumbini as Prince Sidhartha, when his
mother Queen Mahamaya of Kapilbastu stopped to rest on her way to her
parent's palace in a neighboring country some 2,600 years ago. People here
also believe that she chose the place because of its peaceful setting.
Although there are no cities or heavy population nearby, there are plans
to develop the area, with gardens, trees, canal, accommodation facilities
and even a library.
The main attraction at Lumbini is the Sacred Garden that is spread over 8 sq km and possesses all the treasures of the historic area. The Mayadevi temple, is the main attraction for pilgrims and archeologists alike. This is where we find a bas relief of Mayadevi, the Buddha's mother, giving birth to him as two Hindu gods, Brahma and Indra, shower him with lotus petals and holy water. There is also a sacred stone marked with a "foot imprint" of Emperor Ashoka which had been placed here to mark the exact birthplace. Nearby, to the west of the Mayadevi temple, stands the Ashoka Pillar - the oldest monument so far found in Nepal. The pillar was erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred site. The inscription on it in Brahmi script authenticates Lumbini as the place where the Buddha has born in 623 BC. To the south of the Pillar we find the sacred pond - Puskarni - where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birth to the Buddha.
Tilaurakot 
An important archeological site lying 27 km to the west of Lumbini,
Tilaurakot evokes the ancient palace of King Suddhodhan, Siddhartha
Gautam's father, where the Buddha spent his formative years as a Shakya
prince. Scattered foundations of the ancient palace, stupas and
monasteries made of kiln-backed bricks and clay mortar are abundant here.
The most sacred spot here for Buddhists is the palace's eastern gate
through which the Buddha had departed on his search for enlightenment. A
must for archeology and history buffs.
Niglihawa
Located to the north-east of Tilaurakot, Niglihawa contains some of the
most important archelogoical treasures dating back to the third century
BC. This historic place encompasses a quadrangular tank surrounded by
bushes and on its western bank are two broken pieces of another Ashoka
Pillar.
Sagarhawa
To the north-west of Niglihawa is a forest called Sagarhawa. It is the
site where ruins of ancient water tanks were excavated in 1895 and this
site has been identified by archeologist as the "Palace of massacre
of the Shakyas".
Aroarakot
Lying to the north-east of Niglihawa, Aroarakot used to be a walled
fortress in ancient times. Rectangular in shape, this citadel was the
Buddha's natal town. Remains of ancient moat and brick foundations, which
can still be clearly located, point to a glorious past. A very interesting
trip, takes you to the time of the Buddha.
Reaching Lumbini is easy. A 35-minute flight from Kathmandu will wing visitors to Bhairawa, an industrial town situated 284 km south-west of the capital. From here, regular taxis and buses leave for Lumbini, 22 km away. There are daily flights to Bhairawa. Daily Bus services are also available from Kathmandu to Bhairawa. Lumbini can be combined with a jungle safari in Chitwan.