A VISIT TO LUMBINI
A group of people taking a snap at the Ashoka pillar. Photo: LB Thapa By LBTHAPA , in Lumbini (This article was originally published in The Rising Nepal) My long cherished desire to visit Lumbini and to see the exact birth spot of Lord Buddha was finally fulfilled during Tihar holidays. Along with my visit, I did also intend to write an extended article about the current situation of Lumbini and the people around there. A motorbike riding from Pokhara via Palpa and Butwal was a wonderful experience. A recently blacktopped, straight road from Butwal to Bhairawa was enough to give a feeling of satisfaction. The quality of road from Bhairawa to the main gate of Lumbini was also excellent. Going back into the history, Lumbini was left in oblivion for centuries. Muslim invaders who ruled over India for several years were not kind enough to other religions. Different Muslim invaders went on rampage and destroyed several Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries across the le