Birthplace of Buddha
Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in 623 B.C. in the celebrated precinct of Lumbini, which has become a place of pilgrimage to the peace lovers from the world over. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological relics linked with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a vital feature of attraction. As the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, the sacred area of Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world’s great religions, and its remnants contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centers from a very early period.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
As the birthplace of the Lord Buddha – the apostle of peace and the light of Asia was born in 623 BC – the sacred area of Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world’s great religions, and its remains contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centers from a very early period. Lumbini, in the South-Western Terai of Nepal, evokes a kind of holy sentiment to the millions of Buddhists and Hindus equally from all over the world. It is the place which should be visited and seen by a person of devotion. The site and its surrounding area are endowed with a rich natural setting of verdant fauna and favorable agricultural environs. The region is an exquisite treasure-trove of ancient ruins and antiquities historically, dating back to the pre-Christian era. The site, described as a splendid garden in the Buddha’s time, still retains its legendary charisma and splendor. Lumbini, is one of the four holy places of Buddhism. It is said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, Enlightenment, First Discourse, and death. All these events happened outside in nature under trees. There is no particular significance in this, other than it perhaps explains why Buddhists have always respected the environment and natural law.
Devdaha
Devdaha from Dreamland Gold Resort is at stone’s throw. It generally takes 10/15 minutes (distance of slightly more than 3 kilometers) to get to this holiest and mystic place from the resort. You can travel to Devdaha on bicycle or by bus and other locally running vehicles also. Prince Siddhartha was born in Lumbini while Queen Mayadevi was on the way towards her maternal hometown Devdaha. Queen Mayadevi breathed her last after a week of Siddhartha’s birth. He was then mothered by the second queen Prajapati Gautami. It is often recalled that in his childhood, the Prince frequented Devdaha time to time. At the young years of his life he demonstrated extraordinary acumen in shooting competition held by his maternal uncle King Suprabuddha of Koliya kingdom.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
A beautiful park has been established there which lies in the eastern front gate of Devdaha. The soothing and balmy ambience of the garden welcomes all the visitors of Devdaha. Also in the park are one pagoda a big statue of Lord Buddha (7 feet) and an electro-gold plated statue of Sariputra. The garden is replete with variegated flowers including a ‘Bodhi Brichha’, and it really ornates Devdaha as a symbol of peace.
THE MYSTIC TREE OF DEVDAHA
We can see enormous and mystic tree, scientifically named F. Benjamin, here in this place. It is also called as ‘Pakad’ or ‘Falaksha’. This tree always seems as if it is regularly trimmed. The evergreen tree has a trunk of about 82 ft. circumference and height about 96 ft. The branches are wide spread creating circumference about 500 ft. People worship its trunk calling ‘Kotiyamai’. ‘Kotiya’ is indicated in Tatil Lalitbistar too. Nobody dares to cut its branches as it is believed that something inauspicious happens if the tree is harmed. Many bizarre and mystifying aspects have been related in this tree. Birds of prey, such as vultures and eagles do not nest nor do perch here. Elephants do not go nearby, though the lush foliage of the branches is so low from the ground level. The surrounding locality is named by the tree, Pakari. The tree was used to identify direction in those days and it is a 5-minute drive from Devdaha Park to the south.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
A beautiful park has been established there which lies in the eastern front gate of Devdaha. The soothing and balmy ambience of the garden welcomes all the visitors of Devdaha. Also in the park are one pagoda a big statue of Lord Buddha (7 feet) and an electro-gold plated statue of Sariputra. The garden is replete with variegated flowers including a ‘Bodhi Brichha’, and it really ornates Devdaha as a symbol of peace.