Pashupatinath - The temple town

Lord Pashupatinath is not only the revered god of all gods of the Nepalese people but of all the Hindus over the world. Enshirned in the form of Lingam (Phallus), Lord Pashupatinath, and the surrounding sacred Pashupati area is the center of the reverence and faith of all Hindus. This place is a major pilgrimage site for Hindu. With Pashupatinath Temple as the focal point, Pashupati area is spread over 264 hectares. Devpatan, Jai Bagseshwori, Gaurighat, Chabahil, Kautambahal, Siphal, Gaushala, Pinganthan, Shleshmantak Jungle, etc lie in the Pashupati area. In Pashupati area, there are around 492 big and small temples of different architectural style, chaityas, etc of religious and historic importance. There are around one thousand Shivalingas (Lord Shiva in the Phallus form).

As per the origin of Lord Pashupatinath, various incidents have been mentioned in ancient literature. In this context, mention has been made in the ‘Himawat’ section of Skanda Purana and Nepal Mahatmya. Lord Shiva specially loved Shelshmantak forest. It is said that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati spent a long time enjoying themselves in the form of deer in the ofrest. When the gods did not find Lord Shiva amongst themselves, they were worried and then started their search. In the course of their search, the gods reached Shleshmantak forest. There they found Lord Shiva in the form of a three-eyed deer with one antler. The gods recognised Shiva and tried to control him by holding on to the antler. The antler of Shiva in the form of deer broke into three pieces and the three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Indra held on to one piece each on their hands. Later, with permission from Lord Shiva, Vishnu established the piece of antler in the form of Gokarneshwore Linga on the northern bank of Bagmati river while Brahma established the other piece on the southern part as superior Gokarneshwor Linga. It is mentioned that Indra established the third piece of the antler as Sarwakameshwore Linga on Amaravati.

Later, Lord Shiva started living in the form of Pashupati on the western bank of Bagmati river. In the course of time, theplace was covered with soil and grass started growing all around. Lord Shiva in the form of Linga was concealed. Subsequently, a cow used to come to graze there and would pour milk over the Pashupati Linga as a form of worship. The cowherds were puzzled seeing that the cow had not given milk for a number of days. To find out the mystery they kept a strict vigil over the cow. Finally, they discovered the truth and decided to dig the particular site. While digging at the spot they recovered the Linga of Pashupati. The Linga was enshrined according to the necessary ritual and started the tradition of worshipping it. After that, with the passage of time, Lord Pashupatinath came to be regarded as supreme, as mentioned in the chronicle.

After the Gopals, Kirat kings also contributed much for the prosperity of the sacred temple. Specially in the Lichhavi and Malla period great contributions were made for making the holy temple flourish. The temple got the present form during the rule of Shah dynasty. The renovation of Pashupatinath temple and its premises was completed in 2016 B.S. The roof of Pashupatinath temple is gilded with gold and the doors are silver plated. Pashupati area has been included in the World Heritage List because of its antiquity and glory.

It has been proved that the present shape of Pashupatinath temple belongs to the Malla period. With the roof gilded by gold and silver plated doors, four-faced Linga of Pashupatinath is enshrined in the sanctum sanctroum of Pashupatinath Temple. In the temple complex, there are different statures of Vasuki, Ganesh, Matrika, Bhairav, Shitala, Surya, Hanuman, Saraswati, Navagraha etc.

Guheshwori temple is considered to be of great religious and historical importance after that of Pashupatinath temple. The water hole is covered with a Yantra shape cover over which the Kalasha (waterpot) is worshipped as Bhagawati. On the ninth and tenth day of the dark fortnight Marga Guheshwori festival is held.

Batsaleshwori temple is situated between Aryaghat and Bhasmeshwore along the bank of Bagmati river . Her the Yantra is worshipped as Siddhikali.The festival of Batsaleshwore is significant among those celebrated in Pashupati area. This particular festival is celebrated every year for four days from the fourteenth day of the dark moon in Chaitra.

The two storeyed temple of Vasuki is situated to the north east of Pashupatinath temple. There is a historical belief that this temple was built by King Pratap Malla. Vasuki, worshipped in the form of the King of the Nagas, considered to be the Guru of Pashupatinath.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park, the first national park of Nepal, is spread over parts of Chitwan, Makwanpur and Parsa districts in Narayani zone of the Central Development Region. This national park was established in 2030 B.S. The park covers an area of 932 square Kilometers and includes Chure hills, Rapti Valley, the fertile plains of Narayani, Rapti and Riu rivers, marshland, lakes and ponds, forests, etc. This park is spread to the south from the foot of Mahabharat Mountain. The northern boundary of the park is Rapti River while the southern limit is Riu River and some swore hill. In the west, Narayani River marks the boundary and in the east is joined with the Parsa wildlife Reserve. The national park was established with the objectives of conserving, protecting and managing the areas natural environment, wildlife, birds, vegetation and the landscape.

The forest in the park consists of trees like Sal, Sisau, Khayar, Palas, elephant grass, flat low lands, jungles along the river together with more than 50 types of grasses and other types of vegetation. The main attractions of the park are the rare one horned rhinoceros, and the Royal Bengal Tiger. The other attractions are the rear crocodiles. The largest animal found here is the elephant. The domesticated elephants are used for sight-seeing purposes. Besides it, other animals in the park include bear, deer, ratuwa, languna, gaurigai, leopard, jarayo, chausighe deer, boar, red monkey, langur and 30 other species of big wildlife together with 50 species of mammals. 55 types of reptiles are found here which include crocodile, golden gohoro, dolphin python, tortoise, different snakes. There are more different type of butterflies, frogs and insects found in the park. The park is very enchanting with the beautiful ponds and lakes, the dense forest, wonderful quiet flowing rivers and the wet land.

The bio-diversity in the park proves its special place. The park is very important because of its bio-diversity, topography and natural environment. Bio-diversity found is not only Nepal’s wealth but is the heritage of the world. In recognition of the park’s bio-diversity, importance of the natural environment and its conservation and protection and considering the park as a unique eco-system of international importance. UNESCO declared the inclusion of Chitwan National Park in its World Heritage List in 1984 A.D (2041 B.S)

Earlier, malaria was common in Chitwan like other parts of the Terai region. Because of the prevalence of malaria there were few human settlement. Therefore, the forests were safe. Wildlife and vegetation also were under no threat. Besides the hunting activities indulged in by the rich and the powerful, there was no danger to the wildlife. Gradually, diseases like malaria were checked and men began to settle in Chitwan valley. Then started the encroachment of forests. The forests and wildlife faced direct threat. The protection of the natural forest came to be felt the need of the hour. The forests, protected by the disease of malaria in the past, had to be given special attention by the government after the disease was controlled.

Before the establishment of Chitwan National Park for the protection and development of the forest and wildlife of Chitwan valley, some efforts had been taken in this direction. In 1903 B.S, Rana Prime Minister Junga Bahadur Rana had declared Chitwan valley a hunting reserve thereby it was protected from encroachment by the people. After the enforcement of the Wildlife Conservation Act in 2015 B.S. The area south of the base of Mahabharat hills to the Tikauli forest was declared as the Mahendra Deer Reserve. This facilitated the conservation of the forest, deer and other wildlife in the area. The area south of the Rapti River was reserved for the protection of Rhinoceros, in 2020 B.S. His Majesty’s Government brought into force the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act-2029 in 2029 B.S. Later, in 2030 B.S., both the areas were merged to establish the first National Park of Nepal, namely Royal Chitwan National Park.

Till some years back, the area outside the national park was covered with dense forest. But, because of population pressure the destruction of the forest increased. The forest area has decreased. As a result, the villagers outside the National Park had difficulty in meeting their requirement of grass and fuel wood. It also created a situation of crisis for the wildlife here. Taking these realities into consideration, His Majesty’s Government amended the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act-2029 B.S. for the fourth time and created a buffer zone around the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves. It was also decided to implement the Park and People Program so that the participation of the local people themselves would contribute towards the conservation of wildlife. In 1996 A.D., 750 square Kilometer of forest around the National Park and private land was declared as the Buffer Zone.

The park and the local people jointly conduct various activities related to community development and manage the natural wealth of the Central Buffer Zone. There is a provision for the government to spent 32 to 50 percent of the revenue generated from the park for community development and management of the Buffer Zone. According to the provision, the aim is to increase the forest products and make it available to the local people conveniently to bring about the effectiveness of the conservation efforts.

His Majesty’s Government with assistance from United Nation Development Program (UNDP), has been active for the past four years to conserve bio-diversity in the park and the Buffer Zone and directed its efforts for community development. The government has also been conducting the park and people program. The primary objective of the program is the effective management of the park. Conservation of bio-diversity arise the economic status of people living in the Buffer Zone. For fulfilling the objective, the program focus on the local needs and conducts community development based on priority and conservation related various activities in the Buffer Zone.

The program has conduct various skill generating training for the people of the Buffer Zone. The people have also been participating in income generating activities so that there economic condition can be improved. As a result, many people have gained employment in the various service and production oriented business in the buffer zone.

Chitwan National Park has developed as the third tourist destination after Kathmandu and Pokhara. The promotion and conservation of this region is being undertaken in a planned manner for the development of tourism. This National Park is considered as Nepal’s best when it comes to viewing wildlife.

The National Park is world famous for its one-horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger and gharial crocodiles. The park has enough scope for the development nature tourism and eco-tourism.

Several Resort has been established inside the park with the government permission, for the convenience of tourist. These resorts arrange lodging for the tourist who visits the park. They also make arrangement for sight-seeing inside the park. These resort offer service like elephant safari, boating, forest walk, observing the rhinoceros, bird watching, watching gharials and major crocodile, and arrange for having an insight in Tharu culture and, dance and culture programs. There are more than 50 big and small resort and lodges outside the National Park which offer boarding and lodging facilities to all categories of tourist.

There is a danger of the extinction of the rare wildlife because of poaching and encroachment of National Forest area. Therefore, reliable security arrangement are vary essential for the national park. The effort of the park alone is not enough. It is the common duty of all the citizen. There is the need for the participation of the local people and increasing awareness among them. As the national park and wildlife reserve are for our benefit, the responsibility for conservation has to be shouldered by all Nepalese. Conservation of National Heritage is not an easy task and the co-operation and participants of all citizens is necessary.

Lumbini- Buddha's Birthplace

Lumbini, situated in the western Terai region of Nepal, is well-known all over the world as the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha. One of the three zones of the Western Development Region is named after the historic site. Situated in Rupandehi District of Lumbini Zone, Lumbini is in 27 degree 25’ northern latitude and 82 degree 43’ eastern longitude. Being the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini has enhanced the image of Nepal in the world as being the country where Lord Buddha was born. Buddhists from all over the world consider Lumbini as the greatest holy site. This is the reason why United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNSESCO) has listed it as a World Heritage Site. Lumbini can also be taken as a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus. In fact, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, the worshiper of non-violence and peace, can be considered as the great pilgrimage site of the whole mankind and also as the immortal center of human civilization.

Lumbini, situated some 5-6 Km north of Nepal-India border, is the actual site where Lord Buddha was born is proved by the Ashoka Pillar erected almost 2300 years ago by Emperor Ashoka.

In 1886, Khadga Shamsher, the brother of the then Rana Prime Minister Bir Shamsher, was sent to Tansen as the chief administrator of Palpa. While in Palpa, when Khadga Shamsher came to learn that there was something like stone column in the jungle of Rummindehi (Rupandehi) he himself went there in the month of November, 1896 a stone pillar was discovered on which was an inscription in Brahmi script. The study of the inscription on the pillar shed light on the fact that it was erected by Emperor Ashoka in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

The English translation of the inscribed sentences on the pillar, as mention on Page 28 of the book “Kapilvastu Lumbini Digdarshan”, written by Binya Srivastava in Hindi and published from Bhelpur Varanasi in 1954 is as follows:

   “Loved by Gods, popular King came here himself 20 years after the coronation and offered worship. Shakyamuni Buddha was born here. Therefore a symbol was established here and a stone pillar was erected. The Lord was born here, therefore the taxon Lumbini village was waived and one part (on which the king has the right) out of eight parts (of production) is also granted to the same village.”

In this manner, the engraving on the Ashoka pillar proves that Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini. This is the reason why the finding of the Ashoka Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 245 B.C must be considered as the discovery of Lumbini and this is the reality.

But, on the question of who discovered Lumbini there is great difference of opinion among researchers and archeologists. In most write ups, the credit for finding Lumbini is given to Dr. Fuehrer.  But the reality is different. On December 1, 1896 when only three feet of soil remained to be removed and the work was in progress, Fuehrer reached Lumbini to meet Khadga Shamsher, as pointed out by archeologists.

Actually, Fuehrer had not contributed anything for excavating the Ashoka Pillar but it was a coincidence that he had arrived at the time when Khadga Shamsher had excavated the Pillar, Fuehrer had only photographed the inscription on the pillar and also copied it. After the inscription was identified by the German Brahmi expert Hultzsch, it became clear that Emperor Ashoka had erected the stone pillar in the place where Buddha was born. Thus, the credit for discovering Lumbini must go to Khadga Shamsher and not Fuehre. But the credit for publicizing the fact worldwide must go to Fuehrer, in the view point of the scribe. T. Vijaytunga of Sri Lanka in his book “Lumbini to Kushinara” has written that Fuehrer had reached the place when only three feet of soil remained to be removed for the pillar to be wholly visible. L.A. Wadel has also mentioned that Fuehrer had no relation or contribution in the excavation works. Percival Landon, a foreign writer on the history of Nepal, has given Fuehrer the credit for discovering Lumbini and there are many writers who quote him without investigating the truth. This is why the actual discoverer Khadga Shamsher has not got the recognition due to him. Landon has even given the wrong year i.e. 1895 when Lumbini was discovered, as T. Vijyatunga has mentioned.

There is no doubt as it has been proved that Buddha was born in Lumbini after the copy of the inscription on the Ashoka Pillar, found by Khadga Shamsher’s efforts, was deciphered by Hultzsch in Germany. In the inscription, it has also been mentioned that a symbol or sign has been placed on the spot where Buddha was born. In the excavation works begun in 1992 in the area where the temple of Mayadevi is located, the stone slab placed as the symbol was found in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple by the archeologists and researchers. This has further made it clear as to where exactly Buddha was born in Lumbini. The “Time” published form London, has emphasized, in its May, 1996 issue that, on the basis of the stone slab, the exact spot where Buddha was born has been identified.” That the stone slab was found after the excavation of three layers of ruins in the place where Mayadevi Temple is located and it provided the right information as to the exact spot where Buddha was born in mentioned in the English publication, by Tourism Department in May 1997, “Lumbini the birthplace of Lord Buddha”, It say:

 The single most important place of Lumbini (and to the entire Buddhist world for that matter) is the stone slab located deep in Sanctum-Sanctorum. Revealed after a hard and meticulous excavations under the three layers of ruins over the site of a famous Maya Devi Temple, the stone slab foundation pinpoints the location of the original place marking the exact spot of the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

“Travellers Nepal”, 1999 published from Tripureshwor, Kathmandu has also mentioned the same fact in as such:

“Recent excavations have turned up a stone bearing a ‘foot imprint’ indicating the exact place of birth.”

Learning about the stone slab, internationally acknowledged archeologist from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka came on an inspection and accepted that the stone was the indicator sign of the birthplace of Buddha. On the basis of the proofs gathered, on February 4, 1996, the then Prime Minister on behalf of His Majesty’s Government announced the discovery of the birth place of Buddha in Lumbini.

Lumbini was the birthplace of Buddha was established after the finding of the Ashoka Pillar in 1896 AD indicates the fact that the place was in oblivion for some time. There is proof to suggest that Lumbini was a major pilgrimage site till the 14^th century. The evidence is in the form of the inscription on the Ashoka Pillar which gives information that Naga King Ripu Malla of west Nepal had come to Lumbini in Kapilvastu area, which was a part of his kingdom, in 1312 A.D. Kerry Moran has also mentioned that after the 14^th century Lumbini was gradually turned into a jungle”. By the 14^th century, Lumbini slowly sank beneath the jungle. Before that in 403 A.D. Chinese Fa Hien and in 635-6Ad.D Huen Zsang had visited Lumbini and from their descriptions it is evident that Lumbini was place bustling with activity at that time. The Last Naga King Pratap Malla died without living an heir to the throne so in 1330 A.D. Naga Kingdom was merged into the former Pala Kingdom. Pala Kingdom in the course of time, in 1391-6 A.D. when the western region was divided in 22-24 states, came under the jurisdiction of Tanahu Kingdom. The historians point to the fact that Lumbini, Kapilvastu obviously was also a part of Tanahu state then. This suggest that after the 14^th century Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, turned into a jungle and its memory faded from the minds of the people. The place once again gained fame only after the finding of the Ashoka Pillar through the excavation works carried out by Khadga Shamsher in 1896.

Prior to the visit in 1967 A.D by the then UN Secretary General U Thant to the holy site of Lumbini, the development aspect of Lumbini area had not received any priority. It is mentioned that U Thant had cried when he saw the sad state of the birthplace of Buddha. Navin Singh Khadka, writing in “The Rising Nepal” of January 17, 1997, described the travel of U Thant in the following manner:

“He came, he saw, he wept… and it was natural for U Thant, a Buddhist, to the “Plight” of Buddha’s birthplace. It was such a neglected spot”.

Thereafter, he made great efforts for the development of Lumbini. This is evident from his appeal to the world community for voluntary assistance so that the pilgrims and tourists coming to Lumbini would be facilitated by making it a wonderful pilgrimage site.

“The development of Lumbini has reached a stage where financing from voluntary contributions will be needed before it can become a pilgrimage center with adequate facilities for pilgrims and tourists”

The formation of the Lumbini development Committee with representation of Nepal and 13 other countries in the United Nations Central Office in New York on February 16, 1970 can be considered as the first practical step toward the development of Lumbini area. Later, three other countries where also represented in the Committee. The government had also constituted a national committee to maintain contact and co-ordination with the committee for facilitating the development of Lumbini. The National committee was dissolved in 1985 A.D. with the formation Lumbini Development Trust. At present, Lumbini Development Trust is active in this direction.

Tilaurakot, Arorakot, Chatradei, Gotihawa, Kudan, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa and Ramgram are other sites of archeological importance near Chatradei is nearly 5 Km to the south west. Similarly, Kudan is 2 Km south east of Taulihawa and Niglihawa is nearly 8 Km to the north east. Sagarhawa is situated 12 Km north of Taulihawa while Tilaurakot is 3 Km in the north wet. Ruins or archeological importance have been found at the above mentioned sites near Taulihawa. On the basis of the archeological evidence found at Tilaurakot. It has been established it was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kapilvastu.

The descriptions of archeologist like Vincent Smith and Bost together with those of Chinese travelers Huen Zsang and Fahien have made it convenient to recognize Tilaurakot as the ancient Kapilvastu Kingdom.

Lumbini besides being an important historical and religious site, also abounds with natural splendor.

The greenery of the trees and plants in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, has added to the charm of the place. But, in recent years, the fall in the number of trees in the area has been quite alarming and the local people are worried about it. By preserving the environment and the heritage through an appropriate plan and program and its implementation the glory of the place can be maintained for posterity. In this direction, to make Lumbini a world center of peace and non-violence, awareness among the local people is rising.