Saturday, January 11, 2014

Lumbini-The Birth Place Of The Lord Buddha




Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous garden of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. 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 center where the archaeological remains with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a center feature.

Lumbini ( Sanskrit for "THE LOVELY") is a Buddhist Pilgrimage site located at the Nepalese town of Kapilvastu, district Rupandehi, near the Indian border. One of the world's most important spiritual sites is home to the historic birth place of the Buddha.

Lumbini is one of four Buddhist pilgrimage sites based on major events in the life of Gautama Buddha. Interestingly, all of the events occurred under trees.

 The other three sites are in India:

 1. Bodh Gaya (Enlightment).
 2. Sarnath (First Discourse)
 3. Kushinagar (Death)

Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Repandehi district of Nepal. It is place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Sidhartha Gautam. Sidhartha Gautam lived roughly between 623 and 543 B.C. and he founded Buddhism as Gautam Buddha. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in place pivotal to the life of the Buddha. It is one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhist. More than 400,000 Buddhist and non-Buddhist visit Lumbini every year. It is also UNESCO World Heritage Site (culture) and holds immense archaeological and religious importance. Mayavati Temple is one of the important sites in the Lumbini Garden. It is said that here the newly born prince took his first seven steps and gave a peace message to humanity. Lumbini is a small town in the Terai region is situated south of the foothills of the Churia Range. Terai is the granary of Nepal and also the home to Royal Chitwan Park. Lumbini is only a few kilometers across the Indian border in Nepal.

Lumbini is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in modern Nepal. In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and shady Sal Trees (shorea robusta) , The garden and its tranquil environs were owned by both the Shakyas and the clans. King Suddhodana, father of Gautama Buddha, was of the shakya dynasty and belonged to the kshatriya (warrior cast).

In 249 B/C., when the Indian emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini, it was flourishing village. Ashoka constructed four stupas and a stone pillar with a figure of a horse on top.

Major Attractions of Lumbini: The place itself is interesting as a whole, the landscape and the green forestry. However, Maya Devi Temple and the Stupas and the Pillar built by Ashoka are really worth a visit.. Recently, several beautiful shrines have been constructed by devotee from all over the world.

Buddhist Countries A visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, is not only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and satisfaction that one gets in such calm and peaceful place. The major attractions of Lumbini are:-


World Peace Pagoda

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World Peace Pagoda: Located outside the main compound, but easily accessible by bike., the impressive gleaming white World Peace Pagoda, one of the world's greatest stupas, was constructed by Japanese Buddhist at a cost of US $1 million. The shining golden statue depicts the Buddha in the posture he assumed when he was born. A walk around the stupa gives you panaromic view of Lumbini.

Things to Know:
Catogary- Historical, Heritage, Pilgrimage.
Language- Nepali, English.
Altitude- 100 M.
Best Time to Visit-April-May is the best time to visit Lumbini
The best season to visit Lumbini is from April-May when birth of Lord Buddha
is celeberated in a grand manner. During this period, Hindus gather here in
Maya Devi Temple, mother of Lord Buddha.
Nearby Airport
Bharatpur Airport- station code- BHR, distance-138.9KM
Simikot Airport- station code- IMK, distance-192.34KM
Pokhra Airport- station code- PKR, distance-197.89KM


The Bodhi Tree or Wisdom Tree

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The Bod-hi Tree or Wisdom Tree: is a set of four distinct Buddhism Meditation. Each meditation is based on an insight that the historical Buddha was said to have experienced as he sat under the Bod-hi Tree more than twenty-four centuries ago. According to Buddhist tradition, the hours before the Buddha's enlightenment were divided into four watches or periods of the night. During each watch, the Buddha experienced a specific set of insights or revelations. During the last watch, as the morning star appeared on the horizon at dawn, then Buddha entered Nirvana. It represents the place of the Buddha's enlightenment, and is therefore sacred geographically. It is ancient. Thus it is sacred temporarily. It represents growth towards liberation. Therefore, it is sacred developmentally. In all these cases, the Buddha- Tree's symbolism gives access to the Dharam Kaya, which is the most transcendent aspect of Buddhism.

The Bodhi-Tree is a symbolic representation of the individual's journey to infinity. As the seed which begins tiny  and hard grows open and free, so should the mind and heart. The tree is rooted in the ground as the self is rooted in matter. But the seed grows beyond the ground, as it perceives its environment, cares about it, and ultimately leaves the limitations of the body and matter behind. The branches reach towards the heavens yet the vines of the banyan reach towards the earth. Such is the state of mankind- always being pulled in two directions. One direction is freedom, ultimate liberation, and the transcendence of boundaries. The other direction is severity, rootedness, comfort, and tradition-the self that will not turn away form the earth.

The Ashoka Pillar
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The Ashoka Pillar: The Ashokan Pillar, essentially erected by Asoka (249 B.C.) visited Lumbiniand inscribed Asoka Pillar on the spot of Buddha's birth. The inscription of the pillar (the oldest in Nepal) declares the Asoka's granted Lumbini tax free status in honor of Buddha's birth. It is 6 m high and half of its beneath the ground. It is behind the Maya Devi Temple, to the west of the temple.The Ashoka Pillar is being made of pink sandstone. The pillar itself became lost over the centuries and only in 1895 was it rediscovered by a German archaeologist named Feuher besides some ruins which turned out to be the foundations under what is now known as the Mahadeva Temple that depicts the birthplace. In 1896 the pillar was moved by the governor of Palpa, Khadga Shumsher Rana back to its original place beside the temple. The Ashokan Pillar in Lumbini also takes the honor as being the oldest known inscription to be found in Nepal.


Maya Devi Temple
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Maya Devi Temple:Lumbini remains neglected for centuries. In 1895, Feuhrer, a famous German archaeologist, discovered the great pillar, further exploration and excavation of the surrounding area revealed the existence of a brick temple and a sandstones sculpture within the temple itself which represents the scene of Buddha's birth. On the south of the Maya Devi Temple there is the famous sacred bathing pool known as Pushkarni. It is believed that Maya Devi took a bath in this pool before the deliver

Pushkarani Pond
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Pushkarani Pond:The Pushkarani is the sacred pool where the Maya Devi, the Queen of Shakya King Suddhodhana of Kapilvastu the Lord Buddha's mother take a bath before giving birth to the Lord Buddha. It is also the Place where the Gautama was given his ritual purification.

Myanmar Golden Temple
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The Myanmar Golden Temple is one of the oldest structures in the compound. There are three prayer halls- the most impressive is tapped by a Concob-shaped shikara (tower), styled after the temples of Bagan. Also within the temple grounds is the Lokamani Pula Pagoda, a huge gilded stupa in the southern Burmese style, inspired by the shwedagon paya in yongon.

Lumbini Museum

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The museum displays artifacts from Mauryan and Kushana periods

The museum posses religious manuscripts, metal sculptures and stamps from all over the world depicting Lumbini. Lumbini International Research Institute ( LIRI ), located opposite the Lumbini museum, provides research facilities for the study of Buddhism and religion in general.

Excursion:

Kapilvastu: A holy destination related deeply with the life of a legend, Lord Buddha, eventually Kapilvastu is the place where Lord Buddha, had lived the childhood and the days of teenage, in complete luxury. The capital of king Shuddhodhan, Kapilvastu still carries with it the mystic charms. It houses many sculptures of Buddhism, which present a landscape before that visitors that makes them feel calm., content. Kapilvastu carries the visitors away to the ancient days when Buddha was a small child, a prince. The place is situated 27 km south of Lumbini.

 Respect:
  • Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.
  • Circumnavigate the stupas and other sacred objects in a clock wise direction.
  • Preserve the peace and tranquility.
  • Do not climb onto stupas or other sacred objects.

Access and Accommodation:

Lumbini is a 10 hour drive from Kathmandu and a 45 minutes drive from Bhairahawa. The closest airport is Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa, with flights to and fro from Kathmandu.

Where to Stay: Some of the hotel in Bhairahwa are quite useful, but it is recommended to stay in the nearby Dae Sun Sukh Gu Sa monastery in the village.


Friday, January 10, 2014

Royal Chitwan National Park

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ROYAL CHIT-WAN  NATIONAL PARK- NEPAL
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SUN SET AT CHIT-WAN NATIONAL PARK-NEPAL



Royal Chit-wan National Park (UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site)
 
Chit-wan National Park is the first National Park in Nepal. Formerly called Royal Chit-wan National Park. It was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1998.

Chit-wan National Park has been one the country's treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 sq.km in the subtropical lowlands of the of the inner TERAI. The area comprising the Tikauli forest-from Rapti river to the foot hills of Mahabharat-extending over an area of 175 sq.km. The park consists of a diversity of ecosystems, including the Churia Hills, Ox-bow lakes and the flood plains of the Rapti River and Narayani Rivers. The western portion of the park is comprised of the lower but more rugged. "Someswar Hills". The park shares its western boundary with the "Parsa Widlife Reserves"

The Chit-wan Valley consists tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forest cover 70 percent of the park.The Park has a range of climatic seasons, each offering a unique experience. October through February with an average temp.. of 25*C offer an enjoyable climates. From March to June temperatures can reach as high as 43*C.

The southern belt of Nepal is known as the Terai. It is low land area covered with dense subtropical forest. Here you will find some of the most exciting safari destinations in the world. The jungle safari activity includes canoeing, nature walks bird watching, excursions, and visit to an ethnic Thar-u village in the jungle safari park.

Thanks to Nepal's extensive and effective Parks and Reserve systems, the country has managed to preserve more endangered species of flora and fauna than any other country in Asia. Now, the protected areas is Nepal include 14 National Parks, 3 Wild Life Reserves, one Hunting Reserves and 6 Conservation areas 11 Buffer Zones. Covering an area of 34,186.62 sq km, that is 23.23 percent of the total area of the country. Royal Chitwan National Park (932 sq.km.) Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserves (175 sq.km.) and Bardiya National Park (968 sq.km.) are most famous and popular.

The Park offers interesting sites and activities. The display at the "Visitors Center at Sauraha" provides fascinating information on wildlife and conservation programs. The women's user group's souvenir shop offers a variety of handicrafts and other local products for gifts and souvenirs.

Elephant Safari provides opportunity to get a closer view of endangered one-horned rhinoceros. One may also get a glimpse of the elusive Bengal Tiger. "The Elephant Breeding Center" at "Khorsor". Inside the park there are seven resorts, run by Park Concessionaires that can provide lodging,

Regulation  There are certain Rules and Regulations of the Chit-wan National Park that the visitors of the park are supposed to follow in order to visit the park. The Regulations of the park are outlined here below.
  1. An Entry Fee of NRS. 1500/ Foreigners, NRS.750/ SAARC, and NRS. 100/ Nepalese per person has to be paid at the Park Entrance Gate.
  2. Flora and Fauna of the park are fully protected and must not be disturbed at any cost.
  3. Do not purchase illegal animal or plant products. The purchase of illegal animal or plant product may bring you to the legal prosecution.
  4. The visitors of the park must respect the religious cultural sites all around the park.
  5. The visitors are requested to place the trash in the rubbish bins and should care about the cleanliness.
  6. The visitors are strictly prohibited to walk within the park between sunset and sunshine. 

Best Time To Visit Chit wan Visiting any city at the opportune time is important to explore, enjoy and make your holiday memorable! The most comfortable time to visit Chit-wan is from October to March, when skies are relatively clear and average daily temperature is a balmy 25*C. However, the best time to see animals is late January to March when the towering Phanta Grass is slashed by villagers, improving visibility considerably.

October to May- Bird Watching.
December to March- Maximum temp. can reach up to 95 Fahrenheit (35*C) in April through September.
November through February are cooler months with average temp. around 67 Fahrenheit.


Map Of Chit-wan




Watch Exciting and Thrilling Moment in Chitwan You Ever Had!





Get On

Bharatpur Airport- Bharatpur, Nepal is about 10km.
By Bus: Take the Tourist Bus from Kathmandu or Pokhra. Stop in at one of the many Tour Agencies (in either city) at least 1-2 days before your journey. From Kathmandu, Chitwan is about 4 hours ( cost is approx NPR 350 for standard tourist bus, no A/C) From Pokhra, it maybe 6 hours, when you arrive in Chit-wan ( the village) you will need to take a horse cart or bicycle rickshaw, the 7 km into the tiny village that sauraha. The nearest bus-stand is Narayanghat which has guest houses around it. NPR 400 per way to Kathmandu for 3 persons in Tyota.

Fees/Permit

For all activities inside and outside, visitors must pay NPR 500 for a park permit, update: 24/06/2012, the fees have increased for SAARC Nationals and Foreign Tourists the fees have been raised from Rs 200 and Rs 500 to Rs 750 and Rs 1,500 per person respectively.

Things to do in Chitwan- Tourist Activities in Chitwan


Image result for jeep safari in chitwan
Top things to do in Chitwan are Jungle safari, Nature walk, Elephant back safari, Jeep safari, Cannoning, Bird watching, Village tours and ethnic group cultural programs. Chitwan is a very beautiful place, it is the centre of attraction for touristd. Things to do in Chitwan is an amazing tourist places to enjoy...Read More


    1. Elephant Back Safari.
    2. Jeep Safari.
    3. Visiting Elephant Breeding Center.
    4. Jungle Walk and Bird Watching.
    5. Canoe Ride.
    6. Village Walk.
    7. Cultural Program.
    8. Elephant Bathing.
    9. Crocodile Breeding Center.
    10. Ox Cart or Pony Ride Chitwan.
    11. 20 Thousand Lake Tour.

Brief Introduction

Activities: Jungle Safari on elephant back, Jungle Walk, Canoe Ride, Jeep Drive, Experience of Tharu Culture.
Accommodation: Resort Hotels and Lodges.
Access: The Park Headquaters at Kasara is a 21-km from Bharatpur which is 20 minutes by air or 146 km by road from Kathmandu.
Wildlife: 56 species of mammals that include, one-horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Rhesus Monkey, Languor, Geer Leopard, Gaur, Wild Boar, Wild Dog and Wild Cat. 49 species of amphibians and reptiles that include the endangered Long shouted Gharial, Marsh Mugger Crocodile and Python.
Birds: 539 species of birds that include Summer migrants, Birds like Paradis Flycatcher, Indian Pitta and Parakeets etc, during, while Winter Birds include Water Fowl, Brahminyducks, Pintails, Bar-Headed Geese, Cosmo rants and migratory Birds from Siberia.
Vegetation: Deciduous forest with 600 Plant Species.
Best Season: October-March (average temperature 25 degree Celsius); April-June (hot, up to 43 degrees Celsius), July-September (rainy).
Park Headquarters: Kasara.
Added Attraction: Devighat, Padavnagar, Balmiki Ashram, Kabilaspur, Chepang Hills Trails.
Entrance Fees: Nepali-Rs 100 per day per entry, SAARC Nationals- Rs 750 per person per day, Foreigners-Rs 1,500 per person per day.

Accommodation

Chitwan Paradise Hotel is one of the largest hotel in Chitwan with large Banquet hall. Built from natural materials it blends perfectly with its jungle surroundings, and offers luxurious facilities. All the individual bang lows at are perfectly blended with natural surroundings. The rooms are tastefully decorated with private solar powered hot and cold running showers.  



Room Facilities

1.Each room is equipped with TV, Telephone and Hot/Cold water facilities
2.Air Conditioned Rooms
3.Suite Rooms
4.Conference Centre
5.3 Banquet Halls
Things to do in Chitwan
1.Elephant Safari
2.Jungle Drive
3.Tharu Cultural Dance
4.Nature Walk
5.Elephant Breeding Centre
6.Canoe Trip
7.Bird Watching
8.Elephant Bath
Access to Chitwan

Facilities 

Walk deep into the jungle led one of the lodge's experienced naturalists or journey by Land rover to distant hills from the world of man. Drift down river in a dug-out Canoe past a pageant of bird life, or watch by flickering firelight the dances of the Tharu Peoples. Chitwan Paradise Hotel, in the living heart of the jungle with its blend of traditional style and modern amenities, offers you the perfect jungle experience.

Resort Facilities
  • Restaurant.
  • Bar.
  • Coffee Shop.
  • 24 Hour Services.
  • Fitness Center.
  • Guest Laundry.
  • 24hr. Reception. 

Location

By Air A 25 minute flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur and then a 30 minute drive to Chitwan
Paradise Hotel.

By Land From Kathmandu we can transport you to the starting point on the Trishuli River where you will be dropped off for a white water rafting experience. The duration of the rafting trip will vary depending on the season. During this period we visit the 20,000 Lakes area which offers a varied experience of birds and mammals.