The Lumbini Museum is housed in some of the original buildings designed by Kenzo Tange, the Japanese architect behind the Lumbini Master Plan.

Lumbini Museum

Visit the Lumbini Museum to learn more about the history of the site and see artefacts from the development of Buddhism around the world.

One of the rooms in the Lumbini Museum, showing examples of Buddhist art from across the world. – © Michael Turtle

Displays in the museum show items traditionally used by monks in Buddhist ceremonies. – © Michael Turtle

The exhibition presents a mixture of original statues, replicas of iconic items, and photographs of other art and architecture. – © Michael Turtle

One of the rooms in the Lumbini Museum, showing examples of Buddhist art from across the world. – © Michael Turtle

In one of the interestingly-shaped buildings that were part of the original 1978 Lumbini Master Plan, you’ll find the Lumbini Museum. The museum is designed to show the significance of the site as the birthplace of Buddha, and offer some examples of the importance of Buddhism more generally.

A stone statue of Buddha from the 16th century AD shows the development of the iconography over the years. – © Michael Turtle

The exhibition is spread over several rooms and inside you’ll find a mixture of artefacts from the Lumbini and photos about its history. There are also statues and other artworks showing important Buddhist iconography.

One section of the museum has examples of traditional dress and ceremonial items that are associated with the history and culture that has emanated from Lumbini.

The Lumbini Museum consists of several rooms spread out over two levels of the building. – © Michael Turtle

There is limited signage in the museum but it provides a good foundation to appreciate the influences that the site has had around the world, and the archaeological work that is still ongoing at Lumbini to uncover more than 2000 years of history.

Visit

Lumbini Museum

Hours

Open Wed-Mon 10am-4pm

Pricing

Foreigner: Rs 50
SAARC resident: Rs 20