OVERVIEW :
Six Human Buddha tour refers; geographically it is proved that Kathmandu was a big lake( Nagdaha) before and there is only one outlet from Chovar west of Kathmandu. According to History and legends it is believed that Kathmandu was the origin of Spirit on the period of Dharma Era when it was a huge lake. Now Kathmandu has thousands of temples, Stupas, Monasteries and monuments with different significances and importance on Both Hinduism and Buddhism. As per our history Swayambhunath or Swayambhu god or Swayambhu Jyoti and Pashupatinath or God Pashupati or well known lord shiva temple are most historic and spiritual ancient monuments in Kathmandu valley has connection with the hundred of Spiritual leaders, Kings from different regions, different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The ancient history of Nepal provides connection of five human Buddhas with Kathmandu valley and surrounding Hills as Shivapuri, Nagarjuna, Phulchoki, Champa Devi, and Namobuddha. Till now those hills are supposed as secret and holy places around the Kathmandu valley. Here is some of the legends and significance about the five human Buddha before Shakyamuni Buddha (Gautama Buddha) as connection with Pullahari Monastery, Swayambhunath stupa, Guhyeshwari temple, Pashupatinath Temple and Kathmandu valley.
Lumbini is the place where prince Siddhartha well known as Lord Buddha was born and took his first seven steps and uttered as epoch-making message to the suffering humanity. Shakyamuni Buddha was born on 623 B.C on Full moon day of May near to Pushkarini (the sacred pound), Mayadevi- mother of Siddhartha Gautama was queen of shakya King Suddhodana of Kapilvastu.Lumbini was re-discovered and re-established by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka who made pilgrimage in 249 B.C
Lumbini provides special spiritual experience to explore different spiritual places at Lumbini and around. The spiritual grounds around Lumbini as Gotihawa is believed as birth place and the place of Nirvana of Krakuchanda Buddha which is located about 3 KM southwest of Taulihawa. Another holy place called Niglihawa which is 7 KM north of Taulihawa is believed as birth and enlightened place of Kanak Muni Buddha. This place was discovered by renowned archaeologist Dr.Alos Fuhrer in 1895 when he got Stupa and pillar made by emperor Ashoka at Niglihawa. Another destination” Tilaurakot” has been identified by archaeologists as the actual capital of Kapilvastu and home of King Suddhodana had numerous stupas,monasteries and palaces, which was destroyed by king Virudhaka who massacred the shakyas during last days of Lord Buddha. Tilaurakot is believed as the place where Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni Buddha) spent 29 years of his princely life located 27 KM west of Lumbini and 3 KM from Taulihawa.
Lumbini Spiritual Tour goes through Tilaurakot, Kudan, Gotihawa, Niglihawa, Aurorakot, Devadaha and Ramagrama. All of these sites have bearing significance of the life, enlightenment and death of Buddha. The tour also covers 62 archaeological sites scattered outside the lumbini Garden. The combination of Ethnic village tour around Lumbini provides culture and tradition of Tharu, Yadav,Harijan,Lodh,Kurmi, Chamar,Gupta, Mallah, Brahmin, Chhetri, Muslims and more.
1. Bipashbi Buddha
Bipashbi Buddha was the first spiritual leader” Buddha” came Kathmandu valley at the period of Dharma Era when it was a huge lake. He situated at Nagarjuna Hill west of Kathmandu. It is believed that on full moon day of month chaitra he visited Nagdaha and planted the lotus seed which signified the history of Kathmandu valley. Due to that religious impact locals of Kathmandu valley celebrate festival at Nagarjuna Hill every year on full moon of Chaitra and all things of this festival is dedicated to Bipashbi Buddha.
2. Shikhi Buddha
An extraordinary lotus plant was seen after six month of lotus plantation at Nagdaha by Bipashbi Buddha, which was the beginning stage of the “Swayambhunath”- The great land god with self energy. Now the place becomes famous Swayambhu Stupa well known as “Monkey temple” for tourists. This has very long spiritual significance since Dharma Era. Due to this huge establishment at Kathmandu valley Sikhi Buddha visited to meet with god swayambhu, after his long spiritual meditation he meet with the god and well blessed by swayambhunath. At that time Shikhi Buddha stayed at Dhannochya Hill, now is it known as Champa Devi Hill which has festival every year on period of 1 st day of Magh month.
3. Vishobhu Buddha (Kanak Muni Buddha)
After Dharma era (Treta Era) Vishobhu Buddha visited to Kathmandu valley and stayed at the Hill having different flowers. Vishobhu Buddha offered various types of flowers to Swayambhunath from the Hill called Phulchowki south of Kathmandu so this hill is known as Phulchoki Hill which is also spiritual and pilgrimage site for all. Vishobhu Buddha also briefed his students about the outlet of water from Kathmandu valley at first time in history.
4. Manjushri Bodhisattva (Kashep)
When Vishobhu Buddha returned back from Phulchoki Manjushree Bodhisatya had arrived and worshiped Swayambhunath. He studied about the outlet of water from Kathmandu valley which was big lake till that time and found solution of outlet water from place called Katuwal and made this place for settlement for peoples, after the history of Kathmandu valley was started since Treta Era. Manjushree had established a new city from Swayambhunath to Guheshwori after the city was known as Manju Pattan and nominate the new king known as Dharmakara. Huge festival was offered for Manjushree at Swayambhunath stupa every year on shree panchami on month of January – February.
5. Krakuchanda Buddha
Krakuchanda Buddha arrived to Kathmandu after Manjushree to worship Swayambhu Jyoti. According to legend Krakuchanda Buddha was the person who worshipped to Guhyeshwari for water because peoples of Kathmandu was suffered problem of drinking water at that time. Due to his worship and meditation Guheshwori established Bagmati River from Shivapuri Hill. On the period of Dapar Era King Prachandev from Gaud had come to Kathmandu as pilgrimage of Swayambhunath and established Basupur, Agnipur, Bayupur, Nagapur and Shantipur. The present spiritual sites around including all purs of Swayambhunath were renovated on 16th Century by King of Kathmandu valley.
Eventually the connection of all Buddhas with Kathmandu valley, Pashupatinath temple and other monuments provides the exact experience of spiritual significance in Nepal. The crown of Shakyamuni Buddha is worshipped as the main core of Pashupatinath Temple once every year at Kartik shukla Ashtami which shows the harmonic relations between both religions going together at Nepal.