Temple · Buddhist
Lumbini — Birthplace of Buddha
लुम्बिनी
Birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)·623 BCE (Ashoka pillar 249 BCE)·Rupandehi
Birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists worldwide.
Dedicated to
Birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Period
623 BCE (Ashoka pillar 249 BCE)
Hours
6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (sacred garden), monasteries vary
Admission
Local 200 · USD 3
Neighborhood
Lumbini Development Zone
Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, and is one of the four holiest sites of Buddhism. Located in the Rupandehi district of southern Nepal, this UNESCO World Heritage Site draws pilgrims from across the world.
The sacred garden contains the Mayadevi Temple, built over the exact spot where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha in 623 BCE. Inside, the nativity sculpture and the marker stone are among the most revered objects in Buddhism. The Ashoka Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, bears the earliest known inscription identifying Lumbini as the Buddha's birthplace.
The greater Lumbini development zone covers 4.8 square kilometers, designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. It includes a monastic zone with monasteries built by Buddhist communities from around the world (Myanmar, Thailand, China, Korea, Germany, France, and more), the sacred garden, and the World Peace Pagoda. The eternal flame, lit in 1986, burns continuously as a symbol of world peace.
Best visited in winter.autumn: good, 16°C to 32°C. Cooling down after monsoon. Clear skies for cycling between the international monasteries. Comfortable evenings. monsoon: avoid, 25°C to 35°C. Intense heat and humidity plus monsoon rains. The sacred garden can flood. Most international monasteries still accessible. spring: possible, 20°C to 38°C. Getting very hot. Buddha Jayanti (May full moon) is the biggest celebration. Visit early morning to avoid midday heat. winter: best, 8°C to 24°C. Most pleasant time — warm days, cool evenings. Perfect for walking the extensive monastery zone. Misty mornings add tranquility.
The Almanac
| Season | Months | Rating | Temperature | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| spring | Mar–May | Possible | 20° — 38°C | Getting very hot. Buddha Jayanti (May full moon) is the biggest celebration. Visit early morning to avoid midday heat. |
| monsoon | Jun–Sep | Avoid | 25° — 35°C | Intense heat and humidity plus monsoon rains. The sacred garden can flood. Most international monasteries still accessible. |
| autumn | Oct–Nov | Good | 16° — 32°C | Cooling down after monsoon. Clear skies for cycling between the international monasteries. Comfortable evenings. |
| winter | Dec–Feb | Best | 8° — 24°C | Most pleasant time — warm days, cool evenings. Perfect for walking the extensive monastery zone. Misty mornings add tranquility. |
- spring Mar–May
- Getting very hot. Buddha Jayanti (May full moon) is the biggest celebration. Visit early morning to avoid midday heat.
- monsoon Jun–Sep
- Intense heat and humidity plus monsoon rains. The sacred garden can flood. Most international monasteries still accessible.
- autumn Oct–Nov
- Cooling down after monsoon. Clear skies for cycling between the international monasteries. Comfortable evenings.
- winter Dec–Feb
- Most pleasant time — warm days, cool evenings. Perfect for walking the extensive monastery zone. Misty mornings add tranquility.
Folio II
Iconography & Detail
Folio III
Situation
Coda
Continue the Pilgrimage
Within this area
Places and landmarks inside
Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple is the spiritual core of the Lumbini sacred garden
Ashoka Pillar, Lumbini
Ashoka Pillar stands beside the Maya Devi Temple in the sacred garden
Sacred Bodhi Tree sits in the Lumbini sacred garden next to Puskarini Pond
World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini
World Peace Pagoda is the climactic monument at the north end of the Lumbini master plan
Myanmar Golden Temple (Lokamani Pula Pagoda)
Myanmar Golden Temple is in the East Monastic Zone of Lumbini
Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery, Lumbini
Royal Thai Monastery sits in the Lumbini East Monastic Zone
Korean Buddhist Temple, Dae Sung Shakya Sa
Dae Sung Shakya Sa occupies the West Monastic Zone of Lumbini
Cambodian Monastery, Lumbini
Cambodian Monastery sits in the Lumbini East Monastic Zone
Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery
Zhong Hua Chinese Monastery is in the Lumbini West Monastic Zone
Sri Lankan Monastery, Lumbini
Sri Lankan Monastery sits in the Lumbini East Monastic Zone
Great Lotus Stupa (German Monastery)
Great Lotus Stupa occupies the Lumbini West Monastic Zone
Elsewhere in this region
- Sacred Site
Sri Lankan Monastery, Lumbini
- Sacred Site
Cambodian Monastery, Lumbini
- Sacred Site
Myanmar Golden Temple (Lokamani Pula Pagoda)
- Sacred Site
Maya Devi Temple
- Sacred Site
Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery, Lumbini
Sacred SiteTilaurakot (Ancient Kapilvastu)
- Sacred Site
Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery
- Sacred Site
Ashoka Pillar, Lumbini
- Sacred Site
Great Lotus Stupa (German Monastery)
- Sacred Site
World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini
- Sacred Site
Korean Buddhist Temple, Dae Sung Shakya Sa
DestinationChitwan National Park