Mayadevi Gardens, Lumbini, Nepal
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381908)
Rockingham, Australia
February 22, 2020 8:01am CST
We visited Lumbini when we went to Nepal. It is one of the world's most important spiritual sites. Buddhist pilgrims come from around the world to study, meditate and absorb the peacefulness of Lumbini Mayadevi garden.
Over twenty Buddhist monasteries have been built by countries all over the world. The Garden covers an area of 2.56 sq km and encompasses three zones each connected with walkways and a canal.
Mayadevi Temple is the most sacred site in the Garden and marks the exact spot where Lord Buddha was born. Information plaques state that, on the day of the full moon in May, 623BC, Queen Mayadevi bathed in the Sacred Pond (Pushkarini) and soon after gave birth to Prince Siddhartha (later known as Buddha). Relics of the area date back 2,200 years.
We had to remove our shoes, and backpacks were taken through a scanning device before we were allowed into the Temple. Just outside the Temple is the Ashoka Pillar builty by the Indian Emperor Ashoka who became a devout Buddhist while visiting the area in 249 BC.
There were no photos allowed inside the temple which is depicted in the top photo. The central photo shows the remains of a number of stupas (shrines) and the lower photo shows some of the garden area which was covered with lanterns and prayer flags.
14 people like this
13 responses
@snowy22315 (208801)
• United States
22 Feb 20
It sounds like a very interesting garden to visit.
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (208801)
• United States
23 Feb 20
@JudyEv It seems like a lot of places are like that,,you really don't have time to see it all. When I was at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, there were lots of things to see, but we had to race through there, as we had a lauau to attend that night.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381908)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 20
@snowy22315 It's hard to find the right words to describe some of these places too. I take photos of informative plaques but then I have to blow them up to be able to use the information. It takes time.
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
22 Feb 20
these are amazing, makes me want to go even more!!!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381908)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Feb 20
@DocAndersen No problem. I have more photos than words so have to keep making collages - which are easy enough but means the individual photos are smaller.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Feb 20
@JudyEv i am loving this please keep sharing!!!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502251)
• Italy
22 Feb 20
249 B.C. is a very ancient time, this is an old beautiful place that was surely interesting to visit. They are better protecting their religious sites than many Western Countries. It is a sign of respect not to let take photos and I appreciate.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Feb 20
A scanning device even at a Nepal temple.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381908)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 20
There were several soldiers there too. @JohnRoberts @Dena91 I agree that it's sad but it's the way of the world nowadays.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
22 Feb 20
The story of Siddhartha becoming Buddha is an interesting one. We read it and realise that what greatness a man can achieve once he seeks the real truth. This place definitely is a worth visiting one.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
24 Feb 20
@JudyEv You are right... Jainism and Buddhism were an offshoot of Hinduism. They have a common principles and beliefs. And Hindus also visit to Buddhist pilgrimages. Buddha's mother was a Hindu.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381908)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Feb 20
@arunima25 That is what I thought.
1 person likes this
@happylife1 (13403)
• Karachi, Pakistan
22 Feb 20
nice garden i love such open places
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381908)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 20
It was very peaceful just walking through the gardens.
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
23 Feb 20
Nice place with lots of history. I wonder how would the world have been way back in 600 BC or afterwards.
Wars and battles were then too, but with less population and a much cleaner environment, air, land and water, many things would have been better.
King Ashoka was involved in a fierce battle at a place called Kalinga which had led to a massive destruction and loss of lives.
He won the battle but afterwards, his belief started moving towards Buddhism.
Of course, much of the ancient history's knowledge has came through word of mouth, and there could be distortions, but that was a different world altogether.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381908)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Feb 20
What you say is true but they do seem to think that there is hard archaeological evidence about the Ashoka Pillar marking the birthplace of Buddha.
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
22 Feb 20
It certainly seems Nepal values its peace.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
22 Feb 20
We a nice place to visit. A part of history.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381908)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 20
It is ancient history there. You'd wonder how anything could last that long.
