LUMBINI
More Than Just Temples
Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, in Rupandehi district of western Nepal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well known as “a monastic zone” among its visitors. There are more than 25 monasteries which are built by different countries that follow Buddhism. These are the main attractions which attracts a large number of people to visit Lumbini.
Leaving the crowds to the mainstream attractions, the Lumbini garden is also a home for many birds and animals. Being a Ramsar(Wetland) area, one can find many water birds like different types of Egrets, Storks, Ibis, Herons, Water Cock, Grey Hornbill, etc and most importantly the Sarus Crane, one of which was saved by the Buddha himself.
It is also home to mammals like Golden Jackle, Wild boar and most especially the “Nilgai”.
They tend to stay away from the people, inside the jungles of the garden of Lumbini and the birds mostly in the ponds also tend to maintain their distance with the crowd.
For me, Lumbini is more than just monasteries. The monuments may be appealing, but the real essence of Lumbini can only be felt if you can immerse yourself with the nature inside the so called Lumbini garden for they were there from the time Buddha was born and much before.
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