Lumbini Circuit

Arrive in Kathmandu, and transfer to the hotel. After freshening up, visit Swoyambunath.

Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath (monkey temple), is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and center of faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Swayambhunath is the ideal place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. In the shadows of the imposing structure and besides the integrated architecture can be found the daily surge of devotees faithfully offering their prayers to the gods. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist song “Om Mani Padme Hum” resounds everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

PM: Boudhanath

Thereafter, take a short drive towards Boudhanath.  From the moment you step into the sanctuary, you’ll immediately feel the spiritual energy that comes from the place. Boudhanath is one of the biggest stupa in Nepal, built in the 5^th century and listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979. The surrounding area is a central spiritual hub of Tibetan life and culture in Nepal. Observe a beautiful dome-shaped structure stupa surrounded by brilliant colorful prayer flags. It is believed that prayer flags convey mantras and prayers into the universe while fluttering in the wind. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

Witness monks draped in maroon robes rolling the prayer wheels, burning incense, and flickering butter candles. Moreover, it’s fascinating to see the people feeding grains and maize to hundreds of pigeons around stupa areas. The devotees turn the prayer wheels & chant, which is humbling to see such dedication to their beliefs.

Delight in the serenity as you hear the Buddhist mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ being chanted by devotees, alongside the echo of music streaming out from the nearby shops.

After touring around prominent sites, you will be transferred safely back to your hotel.

After breakfast, you take a flight to Bhairawaha airport. Upon landing, you take a drive to Lumbini. You visit the sacred place, marked by a stone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka of India in 249 BC, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The site was rediscovered in 1895 when a German archaeologist came upon Ashoka’s Pillar, identified by its inscription. Recent excavations have turned up a stone bearing a “foot imprint”, indicating the exact place of Lord buddha’s birth. This is where the Maya Devi Temple stands today. The Puskarni pond, where Queen Mayadevi, the Buddha’s mother, had a bath before giving birth to him, lies to the south of the Ashoka pillar.

Located some 27 km. west of Lumbini lies the ruins of historic town of ‘Kapilvastu’. Kapilvastu, also known as modern Piprahwa in the Lumbini Zone of Nepal, is one of the most holy Buddhist centres globally. Kapilavastu was the capital of the Shakya kingdom, and Buddha was born to king Shuddhodhana of this clan. The capital city of the Shakya clan, and one of the earliest Republics in the world, Kapilvastu witnessed the childhood and early family life of the Buddha in the royal palace. It was at Kapilvastu, the prince saw sorrow, pain, disease and death, the four sights which disturbed Him and He abandoned His life in search of the reality of life, and became the Buddha. Twelve years later after He attained enlightenment, the son of the city came back to His home, but not as a prince but rather as the Buddha, who preached His sermons over here.

Believed to be the capital of Shakya republic where the Lord lived and enjoyed his life until his thirteeth year, there are ruins and mounds of old stupas and monasteries made of kiln-burnt bricks and clay-mortar. In fact, the city of Kapilvastu are in such a grand scale that it could be easily be visualised as a seat of high culture. Kapilvastu is located in the southern Nepal, bordering India. Lumbini, the birth place of Siddharth Gautama, is located in Kapilavastu district of Nepal. Gautam Buddha spent his first twenty-nine years of life in this region.

Excavations carried out by the Archaeological survey of India relate Kapil Vastu to the Kushan period. The excavations include a stupa, of an ancient monastery named Devaputra, and two mounds, regarded as the ruins of King Suddhodhana’s palace. Other major attractions of Kapilvastu include stupas built by Ashoka and the Gupta Kings, relics of Lord Buddha, etc. Excavations by archaeological survey of India have revealed the relation of this place to the Kushan period. Two mounds have also been excavated at only a little distance (1.5 km) from this village which, is considered to be the ruins of King Suddhodhana’s palace.

Kudan: is located about two kilometers south of Taulihawa. It gives the visitors one more area of interest with a huge mound of structural ruins with a duster of four buildings and a pond excavated in 1962 indicating the existence of a huge Gupta style temple in ancient times. This place is identified as Nyagrodharama vihara, built by King Suddhodana for Lord Buddha.Lord Sakyamuni Buddha met king Suddhodhana here for the first time after enlightenment. Some scholars have also identified Kudan as the natal-town of Krakuchhanda Buddha.

Gotihawa: About 5 km. southwest of Taulihawa, is a village called Gotihawa which has an Ashokan pillar standing on a slab. Adjoining the pillar towards its northeast is a huge stupa made by wedge shaped Mauryan bricks. This site is identified as the birth place of the past Buddha Krakucchanda.

Niglihawa: Another site of archaeological importance, about 8 kms, northwest of Taulihawa, is Niglihawa. The site has a quadrangular pond locally known as Niglisagar. On the western bank of the pond there are two broken pieces of the Ashokan pillar. The pillar bears two peacocks on the top part and an inscription which reads, om mane padme hum.Niglihawa is identified as the holy place where Kanakamuni Buddha was born

Sagarhawa: About 12 kilometers north of Taulihawa, is a forest called Sagarhawa. In the midst of it is a huge rectangular tank, which is popularly known as Lumbusagar, or a long tank. The ancient tank ruins, which were excavated and identified by Dr. Alois A. Fuhrer as the “Place of the Massacre of the Shakyas” in 1859, can be seen on the Southwest banks of Sagar.

Devadaha or the the country of Koliyas, where Mayadevi, mother of Gautama Siddhartha, was born, is certainly a holy place of pilgrimage and a household name for the Buddhists. The Koliyas of Devadaha were the maternal tribe of Gautama Buddha. Devadaha is located 38 kilometres east of Lumbini near the village of Khairhani.

Tilaurakot is one among the many important Buddhist sites of interest around Lumbini, located some 27 kms. west of Lumbini. Here lies the ruins of the historic town of Kapilvastu believed to be the capital of Shakya republic where Siddhartha lived and enjoyed his life until his thirtieth year. There are ruins and mounds of old stupas and monasteries made of kiln burnt bricks and clay mortar. The remains are surrounded by a moat and the wall of the city is made of bricks.

The Ramgram Kingdom: The Ramgram Kingdom was 60 kilometers to the east of the holy place of the Buddha’s birth. The King was one of eight Kings who obtained Buddha’s relics and built a pagoda named Ramgram Pagoda.

Morning free to visit local monasteries before heading transfer to the airport for flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, transfer to hotel.

After freshening up, drive to Patan. Patan is one of the major cities of Nepal, best known for its rich cultural heritage and its tradition of arts and crafts. Also known as the city of festivals and feasts, it has a history of fine ancient art and is indeed renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship.

A remarkable monument here is a 16th-century temple, Krishna Mandir, built entirely of stone and dedicated to the Hindu Lord Krishna. Important scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics have been carved in bas-relief. The minute details of this work show the high level that the art of stone carving attained in the sixteenth century.

Further east from the southern end of Durbar Square, is the Mahaboudha Temple, one of the most well-known Buddhist sites of Patan. The temple, made of clay bricks with thousands of images of Lord Buddha engraved, is an excellent example of a terracotta art form. The terra-cotta structure is one of the fourteen-century Nepalese architectural masterpieces This temple is sometimes referred to as the temple of a million Buddhas because every single brick bears a small image of Buddha.

Kwa Bahal also known as the “Golden Temple” is situated at Patan. This Buddhist monastery showcases exceptional fine woodcarvings work.

Another attraction is the Tibetan Refugee Camp on the outskirts of Patan. The camp was established in 1960 under the initiative of the International Red Cross and the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC), in cooperation with the Government of Nepal. Its main objective is to help Tibetan refugees do something productive to support themselves. The small Tibetan population living here has set up a number of shrines and stupas as well as several souvenir shops offering authentic Tibetan handicrafts such as prayer wheels of wood, ivory, silver, or bronze, long temple horns made of beaten copper, belt buckles, wooden bowls, and jewellery. One can also get to see the Tibetans weaving carpets by hand.

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.