Lumbini is the most sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide—the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha and founded one of the world's great religions. Located in the Rupandehi District of Nepal's Terai plains, this UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year.
According to Buddhist tradition, Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha in 623 BC while grasping a branch of a sal tree in the sacred garden. The exact spot is marked today by the Maya Devi Temple, built over ancient ruins that archaeological excavations have dated to the 6th century BC.
Emperor Ashoka of India visited Lumbini in 249 BC and erected a commemorative pillar that still stands today—one of the oldest inscribed pillars in the world. The site was lost for centuries until its rediscovery in 1896, and has since been developed into a vast pilgrimage complex spanning nearly 5 square kilometers.
