As a regular feature, Womun will have brief descriptions of some of the numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites easily accessible from Bangladesh. This month we start with the famous gardens of Lumbini in Nepal.

Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddharta Gautama, the Lord Buddha, who was born in 623 B.C. Among the pilgrims who visited Lumbini 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 remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature.

Since Lord Buddha’s birth 2500 years ago, Lumbini has been a holy ground for Buddhists from all over the world. The restored garden and surroundings have the remains of many of the ancient stupas and monasteries. A large stone pillar erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC bears an inscription about the birth of the Buddha.

An important part of Lumbini is the temple of Maya Devi. It has a stone image of Queen Maya Devi giving birth to Lord Buddha as she holds onto a branch. It has been well worn by the strokes of barren women hoping for fertility.

To the south of the temple is a pool where Queen Maya Devi is said to have bathed and given her son his first purification bath. A quiet garden, shaded by the leafy Bo tree (the type of tree under which Buddha received enlightenment) and a newly planted forest nearby lend an air of tranquillity which reflect Buddha’s teachings.

Lumbini is now being developed under the Master Plan of the Lumbini Development Trust; a non-governmental organization dedicated to its restoration and development as a pilgrimage site.

The plan will transform the three square miles of land into a sacred place of gardens, pools, buildings, and groves and include a Monastic Zone, the circular sacred Garden surrounding the Ashoka pillar and Maya Devi temple, and Lumbini Village, where visitors will find lodges, restaurants, a cultural centre and tourist facilities.

Besides its religious and historical significance, Lumbini offers cultural insights into the village life of southern Nepal. If possible, try to plan your visit to coincide with the weekly Monday bazaar. Villagers come from miles around to buy grains, spices, pottery, jewellery, saris and various other items. It seems to be a scene from the Arabian Nights, with colourful merchandise spread out under the mango trees and the air perfumed with incense. Wooden ox-carts loaded with hay trundle by. Villagers dry cow-dung for fuel, and tea stalls serve sweet milk tea.