| World Heritage Site - Birthplace of Buddha Lumbini |
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| September 14th, 2009 | |
Nepal | |
2009-09-14 |
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| Total 5 Stamps: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1) Marker Stone & Nativity Sculpture 2) Puskarini (Holy Pond) 3) The Ashokan Pillar 4) Monuments of Lumbini 5) Mayadevi Temple Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha is situated about 24 km south from the foothills of the Himalayas, on the western bank of Telar river in Rupandehi district of Lumbini zone in Nepal. Buddha, known as the Lord of Asia was bom in Lumbini during the fullmoon day in the month of Baisakh in 623 B.C. He was bom under a Sal (Shorea robusta) tree when Mayadevi was going to her maternal town on the occasion of delivery. Information about the depicted images related to the birth place of Buddha, Lumbini on the five different postage stamps are as follows: 1a. Marker Stone & Nativity Sculpture : The stone has been mentioned in the Ashokan Pillar as : 'sila vigadabhicha kalapita'. the Marker Stone (conglomerate) located deeply buried in the Sanctum Sanctorum pinpoints the exact spot of the auspicious birth of Lord Buddha. This was discovered after a meticulous excavation of the Mayadevi Temple in 1996. The Marker Stone 70x40x10 c.m. is now preserved with a covering of bulltte proof glass. 1b. Nativity Sculpture : Nativity Sculpture known as Mayadevi dated back to 4th cent. A.D. It depicts Mayadevi holding the branch of a Sal tree with her right hand for support. Next to her is Gautami Prajapati her own sister. The newly born Prince Siddhartha is standing upright on a lotus pedestal with Bramha and Indra receiving him. 2. Puskarini (Holy Pond) : It is believed to be the most holy pond of the Shakyas in which Mayadevi took holy dip before giving birth to Prince Siddhartha near the Sanctum Sanctorum. It is also the pond where infant Siddhartha was given his first purification bath. The pond has two deep wells, terraced steps and is riveted by beautifully layered bricks in 1933-39. 3. The Ashokan Pillar : It bears the first epigraphic evidence relating to the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is the most noteworthy monument and an authentic historic document of birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini. The inscription engraved by Emperor Ashoka (3rd Cent. B.C.) is still intact and testifies the authenticity of the birthplace. The text written in Bramhi Script and Pali language is translated as follows. "Twenty years after his coronation, King Piyadasi beloved of gods visited this spot in person and offered worship at this place, because the Buddha, The sage of Shakyas, was born here. He caused to be built a stone wall around the place and also erected this stone pillar to commemorate his visit. Because Lord Buddha was born here, he made the village of Lumbini free from taxes and subject to pay only one-eight of the produce as land revenue instead of the usual rate." 4. Monuments of Lumbini : Around the Mayadevi Temple, one can also see the brick masonry foundation known as the Group of Stupas, Viharas and structures built in the period of Maurya, Kushana and Gupta (between 3rd cent. B.C. to the 2nd cent. A.D.) which are evidence of the early devotees desire to be near to the sacred birthplace. There are altogether 31 Stupas so far have been excavated. 5. Mayadevi Temple : It is the heart of all monuments at the holysite, the temple complex bears the the testimony of several phases of constructions over the centuries. It is fully restored and has been reopened in 2003 A.D. Inside the temple there are ruins of structures of the early Mayadevi Temple that dates back to 3rd cent. B.C. to 7th cent. A.D. The upper floor remains open for meditation. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha has been enlisted in World Heritage site in 1997 A.D. |
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