Tourism activities gain momentum in Lumbini

Kathmandu: Tourism activities have started to gain momentum in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and a universal symbol of peace and non-violence.

The Lumbini was desolate after the widespread effect of the Covid-19 pandemic for over two years. However, the hotels and restaurants around Lumbini are now being crowded by the arrival of both domestic as well as foreign tourists according to tour operators of this region.

According to the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), there has been a 116 percent increase in the number of tourists till October this year as compared to last year. The number of tourists arriving here has increased to 626,452 this year as compared to 289,695 tourists last year.

LDT said tourists are usually lured to visit significant places such as Mayadevi Temple, Ashoka Pillar,  Pushkarani Kund, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, and boat trips on the Central Canal. In addition, the tourists can also view the birthplace of Buddha, and Buddhist sites such as Tilaurakot, Devdah. Buddhist pilgrims from third-world countries occasionally visit Lumbini for religious purposes.

The starting of the Gautam Buddha International Airport in this region has further boosted the inflow of foreign tourists to this UNESCO-recognized ancient heritage site.