Original name of Gautam Buddha was Siddhartha. He was born in the jungle of Lumbini near Kapilavastu situated in the foothills of Nepal. According to history he was born in 567 BC. Shuddhodana was his father, who was the chief of Shakya Republic. Kapilvastu was his capital. Mahamaya was the name of his mother. He was only seven years old, when his mother died. He was, therefore brought up by his step-mother, Gautami. Since childhood Gautama was of contemplative nature. He had no inclination towards wordly issues. His father, therefore, in order to develop his taste for wordly matters married him to a beautiful girl Yashodhara. He was blessed with a son named Rahul. Still he was least interested in wordly pleasures. So one night he left home in search of knowledge, sacrificing all the wordly pleasures when his wife and son were fast asleep. He was 29 years old then (537 BC). The followers of Buddhism call this happening as “Mahabhinishkraman” or great sacrifice.
There are many tamples in lumbini that are worth visiting. It is also interesting to see a holy pond or puskarini. According to history, it was the same pond where mother of Buddha, mayadevi took the holy dip before gautam Buddha birth. Even Buddha is said to have first bath in this holy pond. We can also see here the ashoka piller and the Bodhi tree.
Kapilvastu (in india, up state)
Here lord Buddha spent his childhood and early years of his life. Today’s piparahwa is identified ancient kapilvastu. It is 22 km from siddharthnagar district head quarter.
Shravasti- (134 km from lucknow)
The place of twin miracle. Here Lord Buddha showing his supernatural abilities. According to history, Shravasti played host to lord Buddha for 27 years. In the rainy season Lord Buddha himself stayed here and to meditae and preach here.
During Buddha’s period, shravasti was one of the big city and capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosla.
How to reach Lumbini by flight, by train, by bus, by taxi.
You can reach Lumbini via bus, train, taxi or flight. From Kathmandu, you can fly directly to Siddhartha Nagar (Bhairavahan) Airport via the flight. Lumbini is only 22 km away from here. From the airport you can easily reach Lumbini via taxi or bus.
How to reach Lumbini from India
From India, you can reach the city of Gorakhpur via train or flight. Next you will have to go to Lumbini via bus or taxi.
How to reach Lumbini by flight from India.
Located on the eastern edge of Uttar Pradesh, Gorakhpur city is connected to all major international airports in India. From here you can go to Sonauli on the Nepal border via bus or taxi. The distance from Sonauli to Lumbini is 30 km. You have to make another bus or taxi from Sonauli.
How to reach Lumbini by bus from India
There is a direct bus service to Gorakhpur from the major cities of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. You will get easy access to Gorakhpur from the major cities of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Ayodhya. Similarly, Patna or Bodh Gaya in Bihar also has bus service for Gorakhpur. From here to Sonauli you will have to make another bus or taxi. In Sonauli, you have to change another bus or taxi for Lumbini.
How to reach Lumbini by train from India
Gorakhpur city is connected through all the major cities of India through rail route. Major trains from all parts of India come to Gorakhpur. From here you will have to go to Sonauli via bus or taxi and you will have to change another bus or taxi from there.
How to reach Lumbini by Taxi from India
You can take taxi services through travel agency from cities like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Bodh Gaya, Patna, Lucknow.
Distance:
Gorakhpur to Lumbini: about 120 km
Gorakhpur to Sonauli: 92 km
Sonauli to Lumbini: 28 km
Lumbini to Siddhartha Nagar Airport (Bherah): 22 km
