IX. NEPAL - BIRTHPLACE OF THE LORD BUDDHA AND THE HIMALAYAS

DAY 140 - LUMBINI
  
140) MONDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 1977 : 117KMS. - LUMBINI

We left PHARENDA moving up to the north through NAUTANWA until we reached the border checkpoint in SONAULA. It did not take us too long on the side of INDIA. So we crossed the border to NEPAL, we filled out a form of bringing valuables into the country.  Authorities at the border checkpoint of NEPAL were  polite and not too  fussy.  After having a look inside and walked around our campervan, they let us go. We then exchanged some money, US $ 100. - = RS. 1,245. -.

 

LUMBINI, NEPAL - Photo : wikipedia.org / Google images search

We went on driving to  BHAIRAWA and turned to LUMBINI direction in order to pay homage to the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. The most parts of the road were  in good condition throughout since they have been recently completed as one of development projects of LUMBINI, supported by the United Nations. Still some parts of the road  to cross rivers and streams were very bad as they were under construction (with a distance of about 2 kms before arriving LUMBINI). Upon arriving at LUMBINI, we were crossing with 2 tourist buses leaving from the parking area. We were told that they were pilgrims from Thailand. 

Lumbini Bodhi tree - Photo : wikipedia.org / Bing images search

LUMBINI, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha (623 BCE) has been neglected and abandoned without interest in taking good care. There were no major ruins left even the condition of lush tropical gardens may not be visible, though it was once a shady park of the dynasties Shakya and Golya. 

King Ashoka from Maurya dynasty  had ever visited here in 249 B.C. and had a monolithic (Ashokan Pillar) inscribed as having visited the sanctuary and paid homage to the place as the birthplace of the Lord Buddha and hence having ordered  not to collect taxes from villagers of  LUMBINI. 

 

Ashoka Pillar - Photo : nepalsightseeing.com / Bing images search

As told by the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hsien (AD 403), and Hsuan-tsang (AD 636), who visited KAPILAVASTU (KAPILRASTU) and LUMBINI, the area was filled with  ruins of pagodas, temples and palaces. Hsuan-tsang observed a crack of Ashoka pillar caused by lightning (in 1895 the German archaeologist Dr. Alois Anton Fuhrer was walking around the pillar and discovered the crack by chance). However, LUMBINI  was abandoned and neglected for several decades. In the 4^th world conference of Buddhist religion in 1956, the  King Mahendra of Nepal initially donated his private fund to start development of LUMBINI. 

 

Located near Ashoka Pillar, a small chapel was built on elevated ground under the Bodhi tree. Inside the small chapel there was a statue  of the Lord Buddha as an infant standing and  raising his right hand and pointing his index finger upward.  There was also a bas-relief depicting the birth of the Lord Buddha with his Queen mother Siri Mahamaya, the Buddha, ascetics or Brahmins appearing in the vicinity but faces were half-destroyed. I could only see the layout. 

I paid homage to the birthplace and the Buddha statue with incense sticks while contemplating on my good deed of visiting the birth place of Lord Buddha and spreading the merit of worship to reach everyone. There are  monasteries of TIBET and NEPAL  in LUMBINI.  All around the area, many trees have been planted to revive an atmosphere of a lush green park again. 

 

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We departed from LUMBINI, passing village market with many people. It looked like a scene in a movie, unusual and interesting. I noticed the way Nepalese people greet each other by WAI or putting their palms together. The younger  firstly greets the elder by WAI and  bent down his body so that his forehead touches the feet of an elder. I was not sure if it was the way a layman greets a priest or dignitary or people of different Hindu castes. 

 

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Local market near the birthplace of the Lord Buddha in LUMBINI, NEPAL.

DAY 139 - ANANDNAGAR

139) SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1977 : 217KMS. - ANANDNAGAR

 

We continued driving through GONDA, DAMARIAGANJ and villages along the way. I understood they were underdeveloped and people lead  a simple life.  The road we drove on was full of dust, it seemed useable only by very few vehicles but horse-drawn wagons, bicycles and pedestrians.

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We waved to the children on the roadsides but nobody waved in return. But they gazed at us showing their facial expression so highly surprising.

Pedestrians we passed by put things and belongings on their heads instead of carrying them by hands,  they were walking elegantly upright. 

Photo : hceye.org / Bing images search

We arrived in NAUGARH, where we stopped by to report to the tourist check point as we intended to cross the border to NEPAL.  However, we were told that no visa checkpoint and customs existing on this route.  So we had to travel to another route, via ANANDNAGAR or PHARENDA. We then stopped to park for overnight. 

  

DAY 138 – COL. GANJ

138) SATURDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1977 : 209KMS. – COL. GANJ

Our route today was driving through LUCKNOW until we reached BARABANKI. We stopped to overnight on the roadside of the city before  COL. GANJ.


 

Villagers' morning laundry - http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

DAY 137 - KANNAUJ

137) FRIDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1977 : 209KMS. - KANNAUJ

 

We left  AGRA, passing rice fields, via FIROZABAD, MAINPURI to KANNAUJ.  We saw a  flock of peacocks,  parrots, herons, kingfisher, etc., not counting crows and buzzards.  A flock of parrots flew screaming very loud.  Before MAINPURI we passed a bumpy and dusty  road,  we could  hardly believe that our campervan  would run through it.

Taking freshwater from common well - http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

We stopped  to  overnight  at a gas station before KANNAUJ. The owner of the gas station also owns sandalwood oil factory.  He generously  invited us for tea and Indian sweets.  Before saying goodnight, he also gave us  2 small bottles of sandalwood oil.

DAY 136 - AGRA

136) THURSDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1977 : 0KMS. - AGRA

 

Late last night I heard bang sounding periodically, it was the beginning sign of the  Indian Diwali celebrating.  Every  house is illuminated by candles and oil lamps to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and learning.

Laxmi / Lakshmi - Photo ; blogsgoblogs.blogspot.com / Bing images search

 

In the morning, I heard surprising calls.  When I looked out to the parking lot, where it is a vast pasture and woods, I saw a  big bird on a branch.  It was  a young  peacock. So I walked a little closer and  looked  through to the ground in open area inside the woods, I saw a peahen with 3 peachicks walking behind. This was the first time I saw wild peacocks. Not far from the Taj Mahal, a flock of parrots flew screaming noisily.

 

 

Photo : thewildlifeanimals.com / Bing images search

In the evening, we went out  to see how the Indian people  celebrate Diwali (Deepavali) in the market (a large market). There were many people walking around with firecrackers and fireworks (they commonly played  pinwheels).   

Diwali celebration - Photo : festival-india.com / Bing images search

We walked passing shophouses, where  statuettes of Lord Shiva and Lakshmi were displayed (painted statuettes were sold widely for this celebration) and surrounded by sacrificial offerings,  laying  on a platform or a table covered with white cloth. There were rows of lit candles at storefronts and entrance doors.

Swastika - Photo :  gav.org.au / Bing images search

I saw people having  their  wrists tied  around by  holy thread and having their forehead anointed by elderlies.  Some shophouses painted  a swastika sign at the entrances  (it marks the beginning  in every Hindu ceremony). 

WIKIPEDIA: The swastika is recognized as a Hindu symbol in most parts of the world. In Hinduism, the swastika is at times in certain sects considered a symbolic representation of Ganesha. In Hindu rites, Ganesha is offered first offerings in every pooja. The swastika is made with Sindoor during Hindu religious rites.