Lumbini |
Lumbini is the
birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism,
which was destined to be the prevalent religion in Asia.
This nativity site, identified by the Ashokan Pillar,
erected by Magadhan emperor Ashoka, to commemorate the
birth place of Buddha, the Lumbini grove. The pillar was
erected over 2200 years ago, making lumbini the
quintessential Buddhist heritage site. Among the prime
attractions are the sacred garden with an area of 8 sq.
km, the Mayadevi Temple with a bas relief of Mayadevi,
the Buddha's mother and a sacred stone marked with a
"foot imprint" of Ashoka. The Ashokan Pillar, the oldest
monument so far found in Nepal lies to the west of the
Mayadevi Temple. Today only the lower shaft of the
pillar stands, the upper past having been split into
two. There is no trace of the horse capital. To the
south of the pillar is Puskarni, the sacred pond,
wherein, Mayadevi is said to have had taken a bath just
before giving birth to the Buddha - the Enlightened one.
For those interested in the treasury of cultural and
archaeological riches, Lumbini is the perfect place to
be there with a number of stupa, monasteries, meditation
centers and bahals(courtyard), no other place evokes the
time and aura of the Buddha like Lumbini, the Hallowed
birthplace of the Apostle of Peace. |
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Tilaurakot |
| Lying about 27
km west of Lumbini and evoking the ancient palace of
King Suddhodhan (The chief of the Shakya tribe and
father of Buddha), is Tilaurakot, where Buddha spent his
early years. The place of tremendous archaeological
significance. Other than quite a few scattered fountains
of ancient palaces, stupas and monasteries,
archaeologists have discovered thirteen successive
layers of human presence (habitation), the oldest dating
back to the eight century B.C. one should always
remember the eastern gate of the palace, here, through
which Buddha is said to have departed on his search for
enlightenment. A never miss for Buddhist as well as
historians and scholars. |
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Niglihawa |
| Some of the very
valuable archaeological finds (Dating 3rd century B.C)
have been unearthed at Niglihawa. Situated to the
north-east of Tilaurakot, this place encompasses a
quadrangular tank, two broken pieces of another Ashokan
Pillar. The pillar inscription commemorates Ashoka's
visit to the place. |
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Sagarhawa |
| Identified by
Archaeologists as the "Palace of Massacre of the Shakyas",
the ruins of an ancient water tank were excavated n the
forest of Sagarhawa. It lies to the north-west of
Niglihawa. |
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Gotihawa |
| Located to the
south-west of Tilaurkot, the place is known for an
Ashokan Pillar (Whose upper part, capital is missing)
and a huge stupa. According to the legends, the place is
also associated with Kanakmuni Buddha and Krakuchhanda
Buddha. They arrived before Gautam Buddha. |
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Aroarakot |
| This place once
had a walled rectangular fortress. The citadel was
Buddha's natal town. Lying to the north-east of
Niglihawa, here you can find remains of ancient moat and
brick fortifications reminding you of its glorious pa |
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The Buddhist Temple |
| The monastery of
the Buddhist temple is built inside the surrounding
complex of Lumbini in the manner of modern Buddhist
shrines in Nepal. The prayer-hall contains a big image
of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha in the medieval style.
Colorful artistic murals decorate the large walls. |
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The Ashokan Pillar |
| Discovered by
the now famous German archaeologist Dr. Fuhrer, the
pillar is the first epigraphic evidence relating to the
life history of Lord Buddha and is also the most visible
land-mark of the auspicious garden. The historic
importance of the pillar is evidenced by the inscription
engraved on the pillar (in Brahmi characters). It is
said that the Hindu Indian Emperor Ashok-the Great, who
got converted, visited the site in the twentieth year of
his accession to the throne and as a homage to the pure
birth-place erected the pillar. The inscription on the
pillar roughly translates as : "King Piyadesi the
beloved of the Gods, having been anointed 20 years, came
himself and worshipped saying--Here Buddha Sakyamuni was
born. He caused to make a stone (capital) representing a
horse and he caused (this) stone pillar to be erected.
Because here the worshipful one was born the village of
Lumbini has been made free of taxes and recipient of
wealth." |
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Image Of Maha Maya Debi |
| In additional to
the Ashokan Pillar, the other shrine of importance is
the bas-relief image of Maha Maya Debi-the Queen of King
Suddhodan. Enshrined in a small pagoda-like structure,
the image shows Maya-Debi, the mother of Crown Prince
Siddhartha Goutam. She is seen supporting herself by
holding on with her right hand to a branch of a Sal
tree, with the newly born infant Buddha standing upright
on a lotus pedestal on an oval halo. Two other celestial
figures are depicted in an act of pouring holy water and
lotuses bestowed from heaven. Earlier the image was
placed in the famous white temple of Maya Debi besides
the pillar-now totally dismantled to make way for the
excavations which revealed the Sanctum Sanctorum, the
exact spot where Our Lord was born. |
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Kapilbastu |
| Located some 27
kilometers west of Lumbini lies the ruins of the
historic town of "Kapilbastu". Believed to be the
capital of Shakya republic where the Lord lived and
enjoyed his life until his thirtieth year, Kapilbastu
has been identified with Tilourakot by the
archaeologists. Also, the place is believed to have been
associated with different important episodes. 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 walls of the city are made
of bricks. In fact, the ruins of the ancient city of
Kapilbastu are in such a grand scale that it could
easily be visualized as a high seat of authentic
culture. |
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City Walk |
| With its network
of streets and courtyards, remarkable architecture and
temples, Tansen is a great town for walking. The tourism
office has maps and a brochure guide for walking-tours
of the town. |
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Tansen Durbar |
Tansen Durbar is
an impressive Rana-style palace in the centre of the
town. The four-storied square building has sixty-three
rooms enclosing a small courtyard. Built in 1927AD by
General Pratap Shamsher it has gone from being the seat
of Rana Governors to being the secretariat of the Palpa
District.
The second story of the palace in the Gaddi Baithak
throne hall still houses some important pieces of
Palpa's history, including throne and ceremonial sword,
and every year it is the site of a ceremony to mark the
beginning of the spring season. |
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Sitalpati - Shady Restplace |
| An octagonal
building in the centre of town, providing both view and
a cool spot out of the sun, Sitalpati was built in
1891-2 by Governor Khadka Shamsher. It stands in a large
open circular courtyard, outside the impressive main
palace gate, and is the meeting place of roads, people
and their goods. |
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Mul Dhoka |
| Also known as
Baggi Dhoka, this huge finely decorated doorway leads
from Sitalpati to the palace grounds. At 30x12 feet, it
is the largest doorway of its kind. Built in 1891/2 by
Governor Khadka Shamsher, its size allowed for his
entrance on an elephant and today it a main feature of
yearly chariot processions and festivals. |
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Shreenagar - A Nature Made Tower |
A 30-minute
climb or a short drive from Tansen bazaar leads to a
truly heavenly spot from which to gaze out on Nepal. The
best time to enjoy the views is in the morning when the
hill is covered with dense fog like a heap of cotton or
in the afternoon before sunset.
At 1515 metres, the hill-top park and forests of
Shreenagar abound in scenic and natural beauty and offer
breathtaking views of giant snow-capped mountains -
Dhaulagiri, the four Annapurnas, Nilgiri, Tukuche,
Mansulu, Ganesh Himal and the famed twin fishtail peaks
of Machhapuchhre.
To the south, the view extends from the stunning Madi
valley and the sweep of the Tinau River valley to a wall
of green mountains and gorges and out onto the wide
expanse of the Tarai plains.
Shreenagar Hill is a forest of pine trees and open green
parkland. Made up of viewpoints and picnic spots,
camping facilities as well as meditation spots and
statues of Buddha, the park is one of the most
picturesque spots in Western Nepal.
Temples Tansen is, like Kathmandu, rich in a culture of
Temples. From early in the morning one can hear bells
ringing and the beat of holy drums. |
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Bhagawati Temple - Mark of Victory |
| Rebuilt by the
ten Governor of Palpa, Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa during
to mark the victory over British India troops in 1815
AD/ BS, the temple is an artistic two-storied pagoda
style temple located in the heart of the town. Although
the temple is small in structure it holds immense
religious significance. Chariot processions every Bhairn
Krishna Nawami in August see deity statues are taken out
throughout the town. |
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Amar Narayan - Temple of Lord Vishnu |
| Built in 1807AD
by Amar Singh Thapa, the first governor of Palpa, the
temple is a masterpiece of Nepali culture in the pagoda
style with brass plate, gold roof and erotic wooden
carving. The temple is surrounded by a one metre stone
wall, known locally as the Great Wall of Palpa. Devotees
chant holy Bhajan recitals in chorus every morning and
evening. |
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Ganesh Temple - The God of Success |
Built in 1920
AD/ BS and known as Siddi Brinayak or Shreenager, the
Ganesh Temple is dedicated to the elephant god of
success and is most popular on Tuesdays, especially for
students and those starting a new venture who come to
make offerings of Laddu sweet balls for Lord Ganesh.
Situated on the southern slope of the hill just above
town, the temple is the site of a yearly festival during
Bhadra, mid-August to mid-September, when there is a
chariot procession. Some believe it to be as old as the
Sen Kings of Palpa. |
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Palpa Ranighat - Nepal's Taj Mahal |
The Ranimahal
palace is a spectacular site. Built in 1892 AD/194? BS
by Commander-in-Chief and Governor Khadka Shamsher in
memory of his beloved Queen Tej Kumari. The complex
including a huge main building surrounded by layered
gardens, stone walls and a small shrine, set on a
massive rock bed at the bank of the rushing Kali Gandaki
river.
Ranighat is also a popular short trek. The trail runs
along the Bharangdi Khola river featuring a scenic
gorge, mountain brooks, steep forested hills and the
rockside of Baikuntha Pahad and Hatti Dhunga, the
elelephant rock. There is tea, cold and local drinks,
food and water to be found along the way. Bhairav Sthan
Temple / Palpa Bhairab
Situated 9 kilometres west of Tansen, reached in a
two-hour trek or thirty-minute drive, the temple sits on
a hillock and is well known for its huge trident.
General Pratap Shamsher rebuilt the famous temple,
replacing its gold plate brass roof and offering the
brass trident. Worshippers visit the temple on every
Saturday and Tuesday offering Rot rice cakes and
sacrifices. There is a legend about the statue of
Bhairab that is kept so hidden even priests worship from
behind a curtain. Its sight is too unbearably
frightening risking, potentially fatal. Devotees of
Bhairab can see his silver mask. |
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