Lumbini

Lumbini is well-known for being the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, recog

nised as Buddha Shakyamuni. Situated off the main tourist track, nearly 250 kilometers from Kathmandu, Lumbini is a rewarding detour on the route from Pokhara to the Chitwan National Park.

In this pilgrimage town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a feeling of tranquility. Most of the visitors are Buddhist pilgrims from around the world, retracing Buddha's footsteps through the stations of his life. The Maya Devi Temple, devoted to Buddha's mother, is believed to be the spot where Buddha was once born. It includes an ancient stone comfort from the 2nd century AD depicting Buddha's birth.