Butwal, November 19
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, in southwestern Nepal, is open to visitors now, after a gap of eight months.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus infection in the country, the holy site was barred from tourists in March this year. However, with the federal government recently deciding to reopen all tourism activities, interested people can visit Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar and other monuments in the Lumbini premises, according to Lumbini Development Trust.
However, entering the Maya Devi Temple is barred for now, but it will also be open after a few days, the trust informs.
The trust’s Chief Administrative Officer Gyanin Rai says all visitors should wear a mask and their body temperatures will be measured at entrance to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, local tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their happiness over the reopening. “Many domestic tourists have been seen on the first day of reopening here,” Lila Mani Sharma Paudel, the general secretary of Lumbini Hotel Association says, “The entrepreneurs were worried about the closure of the monuments in the peak seasons. Now, we have expected more footfalls of domestic tourists.”
Months between September and December see more visitors in Lumbini than in other months.
Meanwhile, Gyanin Rai says the Lumbini Development Trust has made the site more beautiful over the past few months.
