The birthplace of the founder of Buddhism and the enlightened one - Gautam Buddha, Lumbini is the among most revered destinations for the followers of Buddhism. The place is now a significant pilgrimage centre and houses many monasteries, temples, and spiritual places. Among many popular sites, Maya devi temple is the must-visit attraction in Lumbini. Maya devi temple is said to be built at the exact place where Queen Maya gave birth to Lord Buddha. The site also has a sacred pond in which queen Maya took bath before giving birth and prince Siddharth took his first bath. The serene atmosphere allures visitors and leads them to a spiritual aura. You can find the image and idols of Buddha in different mudras throughout Lumbini.
Although it is known that it is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the exact date of birth is part of debate among historians. Nevertheless, it is believed that Gautam Buddha was born between 566 to 480 BCE. Many Buddhist texts like Pali Canon and Sanskrit scripture like Lalitavistara narrate the story of queen Maya giving birth to Siddharth Gautam in Lumbini. This is the reason for Lumbini being the beacon of pilgrimage known around the world. The earliest concrete evidence of Buddhist reference comes from the years when Ashoka visited Lumbini and erected a pillar to commemorate the Buddha in Lumbini around 249 BCE. The inscriptions in Brahmi script on the pillar say much of history about the place and its association with Buddha. Lumbini thrived as a prominent pilgrimage site for centuries and had a collection of temples and monasteries dedicated to Buddha. Two Chinese pilgrims named Faxian and Xuanzang accounted for their visit to Lumbini in around the 5th to 7th century CE. Unfortunately, Lumbini lost its prominence as a renowned Buddhist site slowly and remained unnoticed for centuries till the 19th century. In the year 1896, the rediscovery of Ashoka Pillar renewed the interest of the world towards Lumbini again. This led to several archaeological excavation and restoration efforts. In the year 1997, Lumbini was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site solidifying its prominence as a Buddhist site again universally. Now Lumbini is a symbol of peace, compassion, and enlightenment.
Lumbini, being the birthplace of Lord Buddha is concentrated with a lot of monuments and Buddhist pilgrimage places. This is because, after Buddha's death, numerous temples were built dedicated to Budhha and his mother Queen Maya. One must explore the monasteries in Lumbini which are living remembrances of Buddha's life. One can not only visit these monasteries but can also stay and experience the culture and living style of Buddhist monks. Among many, the top monarchies include Myanmar Golden Temple, Chinese Monastery, and Mahamaya Monastery. Mahamay monastery is the establishment of the Thai government with intricate Thai architecture and houses a meditation hall and a library with all the knowledge you can get related to Buddhism. The Myanmar Monastery is characterised by its Burmese-style stupa. It has a prayer hall and also offers meditation courses and cultural programs. Another significance is the Chinese Monastery which showcases the Chinese architecture with a serene environment for meditation and cultural exchange. Other monasteries to visit in Lumbini include Great Lotus Stupa, German temple, the Mahabodhi Society Temple and others.
For tourism-style meditation practice, one can visit the revered Maya Devi Temple dedicated to Queen Maya, the mother of Gautam Buddha. The temple has a holy Bodhi tree under which one can practice meditation. This tree is where Maya Devi rested while giving birth to the lord Buddha, thus among major things to see in Lumbini. Maya Devi Temple also has ancient ruins dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The present structure of the temple was built in the 20th century.
Not far from Rajgir lies Nalanda, which later became one of the world’s greatest centers of Buddhist learning. While the famous Nalanda University was founded after the Buddha’s time, the Buddha himself often visited this area and gave teachings here. It is said he stayed in a mango grove near Nalanda and spoke to his disciples and local people.Nalanda’s ...
Rajgir, nestled in the hills of Bihar, was one of the Buddha’s favourite places to stay and teach. It was the capital of the Magadha kingdom during his time, and the king, Bimbisar, was one of the Buddha’s early and devoted followers. Lord Buddha spent many rainy seasons here, meditating and teaching his disciples.One of the most sacred spots in Rajgir is the ...
Lumbini, located in the Rupandehi District of Nepal, is one of the most sacred places in the Buddhist world. Revered as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, Lumbini is a site of immense spiritual and historical importance. According to tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha in the 7th century BCE under a sal tree in the peaceful garden of Lumbini while on her way to her ...
Vaishali, located in present-day Bihar, is a sacred site in Buddhism with a deep and gentle connection to Lord Buddha’s life and teachings. It was here that the Buddha visited many times and was warmly welcomed by the people of the Vajji republic, one of the earliest examples of a democratic society. The people of Vaishali held the Buddha in great love and respect, and he often praised their ...
Bodhgaya, located in the Gaya Ji district of Bihar, India, is the most sacred site in Buddhism, revered as the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. Over 2,500 years ago, after years of searching for truth and practicing severe austerities, Siddhartha meditated beneath a Bodhi tree on the banks of the Phalgu River. It was here, in deep meditation and ...
Sarnath, located just a few kilometers from the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites. It holds immense significance as the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya. Known as the Dharmachakra Pravartana or “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma,” this event marked the formal beginning of the ...
Kushinagar, located in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the four holiest sites in Buddhism, revered as the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana—final liberation after death. After a lifetime of spreading the Dharma, the Buddha came to Kushinagar in his final days. It was here, in a peaceful grove of sal trees, that he gave his last sermon, lay down between ...
Shravasti, located in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most sacred places in the life of Lord Buddha. It was here that the Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons—the longest he stayed in any one place—living, meditating, and teaching the path of peace and wisdom. Shravasti became a vibrant center of the Dhamma, where monks, kings, common people, and even those lost in darkness came to seek his ...
Kapilavastu is where the journey of Prince Siddhartha Gautama—who would later become the Buddha—began. This ancient city, located near the India-Nepal border (with important archaeological sites on both sides), was the capital of the Shakya kingdom, and the place where Siddhartha spent his early years in the comfort of royal life, surrounded by luxury, love, and security.Here, in the royal ...
Sankassia, located in present-day Uttar Pradesh, is a lesser-known yet deeply sacred site in the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit. According to Buddhist tradition, it marks the spot where Lord Buddha descended from Tushita Heaven after preaching the Abhidhamma (higher teachings) to his mother, Queen Maya, and other celestial beings. This extraordinary event is celebrated as the “Descent of the ...
Nestled in the peaceful hills of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala is not just a beautiful Himalayan town—it is a vibrant spiritual refuge and the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in exile. It became a sacred site for Buddhists around the world when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama made it his home after fleeing Tibet in 1959. Since then, the town—especially the upper area called McLeod Ganj—has grown ...
Sanchi, located in Madhya Pradesh, India, is one of the oldest and most beautifully preserved Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. Though Lord Buddha never visited Sanchi himself, this serene hilltop has become a powerful symbol of his teachings and a sacred place for followers of the Dhamma.At the heart of Sanchi stands the Great Stupa, originally built in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor ...
Amaravati, located in present-day Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most ancient and spiritually rich Buddhist sites in southern India. Though it may not be as widely known as Bodhgaya or Sarnath, Amaravati once stood as a thriving center of Buddhist learning and art, radiating the Buddha’s teachings across the southern subcontinent.The most remarkable feature of Amaravati is the Great Stupa, also ...
Tucked into the hills of Maharashtra, the caves of Ajanta and Ellora are not just archaeological marvels—they are living testaments to the devotion, creativity, and spiritual depth of early Buddhist communities. These cave complexes were carefully carved out of rock more than a thousand years ago, yet they continue to echo the timeless teachings of the Buddha.Ajanta Caves – A Quiet World of ...
