Lumbini welcomed 758k tourists in 2012

BHAIRAHAWA: The number of tourists visiting the birth place of Lord Buddha during the Lumbini Visit Year 2012 grew by almost one-third compared to 2011, but still the arrivals fell short of the target set by the government by over 24 percent.

The government had announced that it would bring a total of one million tourists, both domestic and foreign, in Lumbini when it announced Lumbini Visit Year 2012 last year. But as the year ended on Monday, Lumbini Development Trust said a total of 758,269 tourists visited Lumbini in 2012.

The majority of tourists visiting Lumbini were domestic visitors. “Though we couldn´t achieve the target, the campaign proved instrumental in promoting the destination,” Hari Dhwoj Rai, information officer of Lumbini Development Trust, told Republica.

Lumbini welcomed tourists from 92 countries during the year, according to Rai.

LUMBINI TOUR (Birth Place of Lord Buddha)

Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is situated 300 km away from Kathmandu in Rubandehi District of Southern Terai (lowland), at an altitude of 600 ft. above sea level. Lumbini, respected by all Buddhists. In 1998, Lumbini was declared as the Fountain of world peace and the pilgrimage for all the peace loving people of the world. Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini in 6th century B.C. Lumbini is one of the popular tourist destination of Nepal. More than 400,000 people visit Lumbini every year. Taking this in consideration and to ensure that the benefit of tourism goes to the local community as well, rural tourism has been developed and promoted in the region.

The Lumbini Circuit Tour provides insight into the life of Lord Buddha and the development of Buddhism. There are 62 archaeological sites scattered outside the Lumbini Garden. The tour goes through Tilaurakot, Kudan, Gotihawa, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Aurorakot, Devadaha and Ramagrama all bearing significance to the life, enlightenment and death of Buddha.