Tourism in Lumbini

Ms. Ganga Khadgi
BBA Program
Global College International

1. a) Introduction:

Lumbini is situated in the central Terai plain of Nepal, about 300 km west of Kathmandu. The elevation of Lumbini is 105 meters above sea level. Although Lumbini has a low elevation, the Himalayan foothills are only 24 km away and on clear days, Dhaulagiri peak (8,167m) is visible. The nearest town with an airport in Lumbini is Siddarthanagar with Gautam Buddha Airport. Highways connect this town with Kathmandu (east) via Chitwan and Pokhara (north). It has a frost-free dry winter and a hot wet summer.

Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam also known famously as Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism religion. The religious value of Lumbini has been attracting pilgrims since the very early ages. Being the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini is a very sacred place for the Buddhists. Many Buddhists from all over the world visit this place every year to observe the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The archaeological remains, which were excavated throughout the last century and which are now conserved at the site, provide testimony of the pilgrimages since the 3rd century BC. Lumbini is also the fourth largest tourist destination of Nepal. UNESCO enlisted Lumbini as a world heritage site due to its importance to the Hindu and Buddhist religious community as well as the history and culture of the entire world. The Lumbini heritage site covers 4.8km in length and 1.3 km in width and is stated as a monastic zone where only monasteries can be built.

Lumbini holds a huge tourism potential in Nepal. The birthplace of Lord Buddha is visited by several tourists every year. The inflow of tourists from different parts of the world has greatly influenced the development of Lumbini. Being one of the biggest tourist destinations in Nepal, Lumbini has given the opportunity for opening of several accommodation facilities. Such accommodation facilities have generated several employment opportunities for the local people of Lumbini. Also, construction of various structures according to the Master Plan like monasteries, stupas, temples etc has also provided various employment opportunities. Such a rise in economic activities due to tourism has contributed significantly in improving the living standard of the local people. Lumbini has also been generating a significant amount of government revenue. Although tourism has contributed greatly for Lumbini’s development, the tourism potential in Lumbini has still not been fulfilled. Lack of government input, insufficient promotion and advertisement etc are some of the problems which are obstructing the further growth of tourism in Lumbini.

1. b) Major Attraction:

1)      Mayadevi Temple: The Mayadevi Temple is the major attraction of Lumbini. This temple houses the Marker Stone, the Nativity Sculpture and the structural ruins which are all related to the birth of LordBuddha. The Marker Stone pinpoints the exact birth spot, and the Nativity Sculpture depicts the birth scene of the Prince Siddhartha.

2)      Ashoka Pillar: The Ashoka pillar was built in 249 BC, when Emperor Ashoka of India visited the then flourishing village of Lumbini. He built four stupas and a pillar with a horse idol at the top and an inscription that describes his visit and the importance of Lumbini as the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

3)      Sacred Pond: The Sacred Pond popularly known as Puskarni is located 25 paces south-west from the Marker Stone. This place is where Mayadevi is believed to have taken a bath before giving birth to Prince Siddhartha. The infant prince was also given the first purification bath in this sacred pond.

4)      World Peace Pagoda: The World Peace Pagoda is located outside the main area. This Pagoda was built by the Japanese at a cost of US$ 1 million. The pagoda has the statue of Lord Buddha in the position he took when he was born. It is a gleaming white structure with a golden statue. It is one of the rising attractions of Lumbini.

5)      Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Bihar: The Dharma Swami Maharaja Gomapa is a Tibetan styled Gompa which is located outside the complex. This Gompa was built by His Eminence Chogya Trichen Rinpoche and Raja of Mustang. Here a ceremony called “Tara Puja ‘’ is conducted every day by the 600 monks.

6)      Myanmar Golden Temple: The Myanmar Golden Temple is one of the oldest structures of Lumbini with three prayer halls. This temple has been built in the Burmese styled architecture. Right inside the temple premises is the Lokamani Pula pagoda, another Burmese style pagoda that resembles the Shwe-dagon pagoda of Yangon.

7)      Lumbini Museum: The Lumbini museum is located at the entrance of the Sacred Garden Area. The museum is designed to show the significance of the site as the birthplace of Buddha and offer some examples of the importance of Buddhism more generally. The exhibition is spread over several rooms and inside we can find a mixture of artifacts from the Lumbini and photos about its history.

1. c) Tourism Prospects in Lumbini:

1)      Pilgrimage Tourism : Pilgrimage tourism is the major tourism prospect of Lumbini. Nepal cannot compete with developed countries in economy, infrastructures and industry but other countries can rarely compete with Nepal’s Lumbini, the source of peace. Lumbini is the common destination for all, free from religion, race, sex, and discrimination. Lumbini should be developed not only physically but also spiritually. Great heritage sites are a place of attraction for everybody irrespective of their personal religious faith. Therefore it is logical that Lumbini is a place of reverence for peace-loving people as well as historical and archeological interest groups of people. Lumbini can be considered as center of world peace and a top class pilgrimage destination in the world. Being the birthplace of Lord Budhha, the founder of Buddhist religion, Lumbini is of great importance to the people of Buddhist religion. It has the potential to attract the Buddhist people or people interested in Buddhism from different parts of the world. Buddhists from the world as well as domestic ones feel proud and satisfaction, fulfillment of the life while visiting Lumbini which is equally popular among non-Buddhist visitors in the world. Also, various religious prayers and activities can also be a huge part of the pilgrimage tourism. There are two major festivals observed in Lumbini; Buddha Jayanti and Sakya Milam. Buddha Jayanti is observed in Lumbini with procession in the morning, cultural events in the afternoon and decoration of Mayadevi temple with thousands of lamps in the night. Sakya Malam is a mass peace prayer that has been held every year in Lumbini since 1993. In November or December, thousands of monks and nuns sit together and chant important prayers. By promoting Lumbini as a pilgrimage destination, it has a potential to attract tourists from all over the world.

2)     Meditation Tourism : Lumbini can also be promoted as a meditation center. In Lumbini there are many temples, monasteries etc offering meditation cells and areas. The quiet and peaceful environment found in Lumbini is suitable for mediation. In Lumbini there are two main meditation centers. One of them is Dhamma Janani in which vipassana is practiced. This center runs meditation retreats twice a month. There is another meditation spot named PanditaRama Lumbini vipassana meditation center. In this center, the same meditation is practiced but according to the Burmese tradition. Meditation tourism has a great prospect in Lumbini. Meditation tourism may be able to attract peaceful individuals who will inspire many people to visit Lumbini for meditation. Hence stakeholders should build meditation centers where accommodation, teachers, facilities and other required facilities are available. As people find peace of mind during meditation, they will be ready to pay the meditation centers. They will spread the good aspects of meditation tourism all over the world, which will ensure more tourists in Lumbini than ever before. Everyone who visits Lumbini will pay for the cultivation of mind, for gaining peace of mind. Visitors should be aware of the authentication of the meditation tour in Lumbini and its benefits. By promoting Lumbini as a meditation center, the inflow of tourists can be increased in a significant number. Lumbini will be renowned internationally as the fountain of peace.

3)     Village Tourism : Village tourism also has a great prospect in Lumbini. The birthplace of Lord Buddha offers three main village tours; The Madhu Vani Village Tour, Lumbini Adarsha village Tour and Tenuhawa village tour. The Madhu Vani village tour leads to Mahilawar Bazaar to Mahilawar village, to the farmlands and wetland areas. Diverse culture, religious sites and temples (Durga, Shiva, Kalikasthan & Samaj Mai Sthan), agriculture-based villages (straw-huts, clay mortared brick houses, decorated with wood crafts and special roof tiles), traditional costumes and handicrafts of authentic characteristics and typical lifestyle are interesting to observe in these villages. The traditional Biraha dance can be observed at the Mahilwar village. The bird-watchers may go to two lakes: Haththihawa and Darunia lake. On a clear day, one can see the beautiful panorama of the Himalayas with the background of a pale blue sky and a green landscape in the foreground. The Lumbini Adarsha Village tour leads to the ancient villages of Padariya, Manauri and Khungai. Scattered archeological sites, Shiva shrines, and temples, traditional costumes, local argo-based village lifestyle and cultures, interaction with the locals are interesting attractions in these villages. The Tenuhawa village tour takes about one and half hours of leisurely walk to customary Muslim settlements with typical cultures and costumes. The way handicrafts are produced by the local women; Masjid and Madrasa are interesting to observe here.

4)      Nature Tourism : In addition to the peaceful environment, religious values, and spirituality, Lumbini also has the potential for nature tourism with its rich natural biodiversity. Lumbini Crane Sanctuary (LCS) along with the associated farmlands has been identified as an International Bird Area (IBA) due to its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. There are 27 species of mammals, 44 types of fishes, and more than 250 species of birds found in Lumbini. The world’s tallest flying bird the Sarus Crane is also found here. Threatened animals like python, blue bull (boselaphus tragocamelus), Bengal fox, wildcat, wild boars, etc. are also found in Lumbini. Other important natural landscapes and biodiversity in Lumbini include the serene natural environment within the Sacred Garden and Monastic Zones, Lumbini Crane Sanctuary located in the New Lumbini Village, several natural wetlands such as the Karbala Lake, Monkey tree and Punnihawa lake in Chainpurwa, Tharunika lake in Mahalwari village, bat habitat and Hatihawa lake in Lakhimpur, Balrampur lake in Majahana village, etc. Likewise, important rivers for bird watching include Telar, Dano, and Kothi rivers. Gaidahawa lake (Bishnupura) is famous for vultures and blue bulls whereas Gajedi is popular for the beautiful lakes with blooming lotus flowers.

5)      Monasteries : In Lumbini, there are many monasteries that are built in different styles. These monasteries can also be a major attraction of Lumbini. Different countries have built monasteries in Lumbini in their own unique architecture. In the advertisement and promotion of Lumbini as a tourism center, these monasteries can also be a major attraction. The monasteries in Lumbini have been divided into two groups i.e., West Monastic Zone and East Monastic Zone. The East Monastic Zone consists of monasteries that represent the Theravada (Hinayana) school of Buddhism. They are built and operated by different countries.  The monasteries here offer respite and spiritual programs in keeping with local traditions for the visitors. Each of the monasteries reflects the unique culture and artistic principles of the countries that built them. The Royal Thai Monastery, Myanmar Golden Temple, Sri Lankan Monastery, Mahabodhi Society Temple, etc are some of the monasteries in the east monastic zone. The West Monastic Zone consists of monasteries that follow the Mahayana school of Buddhism. Stepping inside each of the monasteries is almost like being transported to a new country. In the West Monastic Zone, 14 Mahayana Buddhist monasteries and two meditation centers are in operation, while four monasteries are under construction. Seto Gumba, The Great Lotus Stupa, Chinese Monastery, Dae Sung Shakya Temple, etc are some of the famous monasteries in the west monastic zone.