Lumbini Province

The Provincial Assembly adopted Lumbini Province as the permanent name by replacing its initial name Province No. 5 on 6 October 2020 and Deukhuri was declared the provincial capital.{{cite web|title=It's official now: Dang is capital of Province 5, renamed as Lumbini|date=6 October 2020 |url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/its-official-now-dang-is-capital-of-province-5-renamed-as-lumbini.html|access-date=6 October 2020|publisher=OnlineKhabar|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121114724/https://english.onlinekhabar.com/its-official-now-dang-is-capital-of-province-5-renamed-as-lumbini.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Province 5 to be named Lumbini, Dang's Deukhuri permanent capital|url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/province-5-to-be-named-lumbini-dang-s-bhalubang-permanent-capital/|access-date=6 October 2020|work=MyRepública|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127201149/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/province-5-to-be-named-lumbini-dang-s-bhalubang-permanent-capital/|url-status=live}}

The Churiya range linked with the Dang valley of Lumbini province has been archaeologically considered very ancient with the existence of Sivapithecus, a link between man and ape. The pre-historic studies of the valley have been carried out extensively since the last century; by Tribhuvan University since 1966, American Museum of Natural History and the Department of Mines of then His Majesty's Government of Nepal from 1976, as well as the Paleolithic study of Dang valley by University of Erlangen-Nuremberg of Germany in 1984, among others. These researches have pointed out that Dang valley was a lake approximately 2.5 to 1 million years ago.{{Cite journal|last=Pandey|first=R.N.|year=1987|title=Paleo environment & pre-history of Nepal.|journal=CNAS:Tribhuvan University|volume=14|pages=116}}

As per the Buddhist tradition, Queen Maya Devi of Kapilavastu was traveling to her father's Koliya kingdom in Devdaha to give birth to her child as was the Shakya tradition. However, on the way she stopped near the garden of Lumbini to rest and went into labour thus giving birth to the future Buddha under a sal tree. Gautama Buddha was born in 623 BC in Lumbini, testified by the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC which marks the spot as the birthplace of Buddha Shakyamuni. The inscription mentions, as translated by Paranavitana:{{Cite journal|last=Paranavitana|first=S.|year=1962|title=Rupandehi Pillar Inscription of Asoka|journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society|volume=82|issue=2|pages=163–167|doi=10.2307/597919|jstor=597919}}

{{blockquote|When King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped (this spot) because the Buddha Shakyamuni was born here. (He) both caused to be made a stone bearing a horse and caused a stone pillar to be set up, (in order to show) that the Blessed One was born here. (He) made the village of Lumbini free of taxes, and paying (only) an eighth share (of the produce).}}

File:Birth of Buddha at Lumbini.jpg's s birth in Lumbini (His mother Maya Devi depicted holding a branch of sal tree)]]

According to the Buddhist texts, Gautama Buddha was born as a prince in a royal Shakya clan reigning over the kingdom of Kapilavastu. This ancient city has been widely identified as Tilaurakot of present Kapilvastu district where ruins of the ancient fortified city have been found.{{Cite web|title=Lumbini, Where I was Born – Lumbini Museum|url=https://lumbinimuseum.org/lumbini-where-i-was-born/|access-date=12 November 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112010642/https://lumbinimuseum.org/lumbini-where-i-was-born/|url-status=live}} Gautama was a prince of Kapilavastu until the age of 29, after which he left the palace behind and wandered throughout the Ganges plain as an ascetic – learning yoga and related concepts from various teachers.{{Cite book|last=Mathur|first=S. N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C3hyv7aV9QgC&dq=gautama+buddha+birth+republics+nepal&pg=PA11|title=Gautam Buddha (The Spiritual Light Of Asia)|date=December 2005|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|isbn=978-81-89182-70-0|language=en|access-date=11 November 2021|archive-date=11 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111193728/https://books.google.fi/books?id=C3hyv7aV9QgC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=gautama+buddha+birth+republics+nepal&source=bl&ots=4W9uCpxUd4&sig=ACfU3U1Dbfr-TF0B9ES9E-gdcCwiQk3Mzg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjo_K_b_JD0AhVylYsKHeaiC0EQ6AF6BAgeEAM#v=onepage&q=gautama%20buddha%20birth%20republics%20nepal&f=false|url-status=live}}

After the death of Gautama Buddha, eight princes out of sixteen mahājanapadās received Buddha's relics, one of them a Koliyan king of Rāmagrāma (present Parasi district) who built a stupa enshrining the relic. Buddhist texts point out the princes constructed a stupa at or near their capital city and enshrined Buddha's relics.{{Cite web|title=Buddha's Mamaghar|url=http://ecs.com.np/features/buddhas-mamaghar|access-date=12 November 2021|website=ECS NEPAL|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112095447/http://ecs.com.np/features/buddhas-mamaghar|url-status=live}} The site has the only undisturbed original stupa containing the relic of Gautama Buddha in the world,{{Cite web|title=Ramagrama, the relic stupa of Lord Buddha|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/843/|access-date=12 November 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620101806/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/843/|url-status=live}} and was added to the World Heritage Tentative List by UNESCO on 23 May 1996.

File:BRP Lumbini Ashoka pillar.jpg ]]

Emperor Ashoka The Great, having converted to Buddhism after being victorious in brutal wars, devoted himself to the spread of Buddha's teachings and erected monolithic columns known as Pillars of Ashoka at sites associated with the life of Gautama Buddha.

One such pillar was erected by Ashoka in Lumbini in 249 BC, commemorating the sacred site of Gautama Buddha's birth and declared the village free of taxation.

In dedication to the two Buddhas of the past, Ashoka also set up a stone pillar and enlarged the stupa marking the birthplace of Buddha Kanakamuni at Nigali Sagar in Kapilvastu District. Another pillar, also in Kapilvastu District, was erected commemorating Kakusandha Buddha.

During the medieval period after the 11th century, Khasa Kingdom dominated much of western Nepal and western Tibet which was initially oriented towards Buddhism and Shamanism, and at their peak encompassed Guge and Purang of Tibet and western Nepal up to Kaskikot. King Ripumalla, one of the initial Khasa rulers, left an inscription on the Ashoka pillar with six-syllable mantra of Buddhism and his wish "Om mani padme hum: May Prince Ripu Malla be long victorious", dated around 1312 CE.{{Cite web|title=Ian Alsop: The Metal Sculpture of the Khasa Mallas|url=https://www.asianart.com/articles/khasa/index.html|access-date=12 November 2021|website=asianart.com|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112093949/https://www.asianart.com/articles/khasa/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=King Ripumalla – ruler of the Khasa Malla kingdom|url=https://tibetmuseum.app/index.php?w=coll&cat=P&id=78|access-date=12 November 2021|website=tibetmuseum.app|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112093950/https://tibetmuseum.app/index.php?w=coll&cat=P&id=78|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|last=Tucci|first=Giuseppe|url=http://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.6480|title=Preliminary report on two scientific expeditions in Nepal|date=1956}}

File:Lumbini pillar Medieval inscription.jpg King Ripu Malla: "Om mani padme hum, May Prince Ripu Malla be long victorious."(1312 CE)|189x189px]]

After the late 13th century, Khasa kingdom disintegrated into numerous principalities each with its own ruler. In the 18th century, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, born from the marriage of king Nara Bhupal Shah of the Gorkha Kingdom and Queen Kaushalyavati Devi, the princess of the Palpa kingdom; set out on a conquest to unify the region into modern Nepal.

The Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) took place between the Gorkhali army of the Kingdom of Nepal and the British forces of the East India Company for two years leading to the Sugauli Treaty in 1816 which demarcated the boundary of the Kingdom of Nepal. Among the prominent battles during the Anglo-Nepalese War, the Battle of Jitgadhi - fought in January 1815 and again in April 1815 - was marked by the victory of the Gorkhali army. The Nepalese Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa, who led the kingdom of Nepal to victory in this battle, is revered as one of the national heroes in the military history of Nepal.{{Cite web |title=Nepali Military Academy {{!}} नेपाली सैनिक प्रतिष्ठान |url=https://nma.nepalarmy.mil.np/page/history |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=nma.nepalarmy.mil.np}}

Battle of Jit Gadhi File:Ujir Singh Thapa.jpg stood victorious against the English troops|147x147px|left]]

File:Jitgadi Fort.png fort - used by the victorious Nepalese troops in the battle against the British East India Company (1815 AD)]]

After the Kingdom of Nepal outright refused the proposal of British East India Company which wanted to claim its sovereignty in the territories of Butwal and Sheoraj, General John Sullivan Wood of the East India Company led an offensive column to the fort of Jit Gadhi in January 1815 AD. The frontier fort, which was surrounded by dense forest and situated on the west bank of the river Tinau on a primary route to Tansen, was being held by Nepalese Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa - the nephew of Nepalese Prime Minister Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa.

Although low in number and acutely inferior in firepower, the strong resistance put forward by Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa thwarted the incursion of the British forces into Nepal twice in January 1815 and April 1815. The battle established Colonel Thapa as a national military hero and forced the English troops to withdraw.

During the Rana regime, the region was politically divided into administrative districts Butwal, Palpa, Deukhuri, Sallyana, Banke, Bardiya and Pyuthan.

Lumbini, with an area of 22,288 square kilometers (8,605.44 sq. mi) covers about 15.1% of the country's total area. Lumbini Province is almost the size of US state of New Jersey. The province extends 150 km (93 mi) north to south and about 300 km (186 mi) east to west at its maximum width. It shares 413.14 km (256 mi) of border with India (states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh).{{Cite web|last=Shrestha|first=SI Arjun|title=Introduction|url=https://lumbini.nepalpolice.gov.np/index.php/about-us/introduction|access-date=12 January 2021|website=lumbini.nepalpolice.gov.np|language=en-gb|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126071849/https://lumbini.nepalpolice.gov.np/index.php/about-us/introduction|url-status=live}}

The Province is geographically bordered with Gandaki Province to the east and north, by Karnali province to the north and west, by Sudurpaschim Province to the west and by India to the south. There are three ecological regions of Mountains, Hills and Terai; each occupying 3.1%, 69.3% and 27.6% of the province respectively.{{Cite web|title=Plan For Development Of State 5|url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/featured/plan-for-development-of-state-5|access-date=17 November 2021|website=GorakhaPatra|language=en}}

{{Pie chart|thumb=right|caption=Land Utilization in Lumbini|label1=Forest|color1=Green|value1=45|label2=Agriculture|color2=Yellow|value2=29|label3=Housing|color3=Black|value3=14|label4=Grassland|color4=lime|value4=5|label5=Barren vegetation|color5=Brown|value5=5|label6=Water|color6=Blue|value6=1|label7=Others|color7=Red|value7=1}}

Lumbini has a humid subtropical climate and experiences four seasons. The winter in January and February is followed by summer between March and May and the monsoon season between June and September.{{Cite web|title=Department of Hydrology and Meteorology|url=http://www.dhm.gov.np/|access-date=2 January 2021|website=dhm.gov.np|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217035421/http://www.dhm.gov.np/|url-status=live}} In winter, it's sunny and mild, pleasantly warm during the day but cool at night, sometimes even cold. The average temperature in January is around 15 °C (59 °F). But the northern parts of the province get colder and can experience snowfall. By March, the temperature rises considerably and it begins to be hot, while from April to June it's scorching hot, and highs can reach or exceed 40 °C (104 °F) in southern plains.

In June, the summer monsoon arrives, characterized by heavy rains, in the form of downpours and thunderstorms. The monsoon arrives first in the east, in early June, while in the west it comes in the middle of the month or so. The temperature decreases, with the maximum dropping to around 32 °C (90 °F) in July and August, but the humidity increases, making the heat muggy. The rains are heavy, especially in July and August, when they exceed 300 millimeters (12 inches) per month, but in certain areas at the foot of the mountains, they can exceed 600 mm (23.5 in) per month.{{Cite web|title=Nepal climate: average weather, temperature, precipitation, best time|url=https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/nepal|access-date=2 January 2021|website=climatestotravel.com|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114144053/http://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/nepal|url-status=live}} The monsoon starts to withdraw by early October in the west, and about a week later in the east. The weather returns to be sunny, and even though October is still a hot month, the humidity decreases, and the night temperature becomes a bit cooler.

Dang and Deukhuri valleys, 10 km apart, are located in the Dang Deukhuri District. The Dang Valley lies between the Mahabharat Range in the north and the Churia Range in the south. It forms a nearly 1,000 km² (390 sq mi) plain within a local drainage basin of less than 3,000 km² (1,200 sq mi). It is drained by the Babai River, and is one of the largest Inner Terai valleys. Deukhuri Valley is southeast of the Dang Valley and extends about 60 km (37 mi) in WNW-ESE direction with a maximum width of 20 km (12 mi), and is surrounded by Sivalik Hills on all sides. It forms a nearly 600 km² (230 sq mi) plain within a drainage basin of 6,100 km² (2,400 sq mi). The valley is drained by the West Rapti River.

File:Landscape in Dang district, view from Ghorahi, Nepal 2015-10-30 B.jpg valley is one of the largest Inner Terai valleys of Nepal]]

The elevations of Dang and Deukhuri valleys are 700 meters and 300 meters from sea level respectively. Late Cenozoic sedimentary sequences are well exposed along the southern part of Dang and all sides of Deukhuri valley, and mostly consist of deformed rocks resulting from the persistence of shortening between Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.{{Cite journal|last=Yoshida|first=Kohki|date=2011-01-01|title=Lithostratigraphy and structures of the Siwaliks rocks in the southern part of Dang and its surrounding area, Southwestern Nepal|url=https://www.academia.edu/28011460|language=en}} The two valleys have been considered a vital location of Paleolithic archeology in South Asia due to the abundant presence of ancient Paleolithic tool sites.{{Cite book|last1=Schug|first1=Gwen Robbins|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xv-CwAAQBAJ&dq=corvinus+dang+valley&pg=PA414|title=A Companion to South Asia in the Past|last2=Walimbe|first2=Subhash R.|date=2016-04-13|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-119-05547-1|language=en}}

Other small valleys of the province are located in districts like Arghakhanchi (Rapti), Palpa (Rampur), Gulmi (Simaltari), Pyuthan (Darban and Bajipur).{{Cite report|url=https://www.academia.edu/27155591|title=Inventory of Valleys in Nepal|last1=Shrestha|first1=Surendra|last2=Shah|first2=Surendra|publisher=Minister of Irrigation Groundwater Resources Development Board, Nepal|language=en|access-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183526/https://www.academia.edu/27155591|archive-date=17 November 2021|url-status=live}}

File:Bardiya National Park.jpg district]]

About 15% of the total land is covered in protected forest in the province.

File:Mt Sisne, Rukum.JPG; Dhaulagiri Himalayas in the background]]File:Mount Putha Rukum east.png (Dhaulagiri VII), East Rukum]]File:Alonzo-Lyons-Sisne-Rukum-Nepal-IMG 6287.jpg]]

Being the only mountain district of Lumbini province, most of the prominent peaks of the province lie in Eastern Rukum District along the Dhaulagiri range.{{Cite web|title=NMA Peak Profile Search|url=https://nepalhimalpeakprofile.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6096&Itemid=280|access-date=13 August 2021|website=nepalhimalpeakprofile.org|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813071040/https://nepalhimalpeakprofile.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6096&Itemid=280|url-status=live}} The tallest mountain of Lumbini Province in Eastern Rukum, Putha Himchuli also known as Mount Dhaulagiri VII, has an altitude of 7,246 meters and is one of the popular trekking peak of the Dhaulagiri region.{{cn|date=September 2024}} The mountain was first ascended jointly by British explorer J.O.M Roberts and Nepalese climber Ang Nyima Sherpa in 1954. Mount Sisne I remained an unclimbed summit until 2013, and the first successful ascent was made by a mountaineering team led by Man Bahadur Khatri.{{Cite web|title=Sisne|url=https://nepalhimalpeakprofile.org/sisne|access-date=2022-02-07|website=nepalhimalpeakprofile.org}}

A recent 2023 study in the highland community areas of the Himalayan region in Eastern Rukum has shown their disproportionate impact to climate change crisis, such as changes in rainfall patterns, droughts, unpredictable seasonal changes and absence of snow.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title=Climate crisis ruins Himalayan pastoralists |url=https://globalvoices.org/2024/02/20/climate-crisis-ruins-himalayan-pastoralists/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=Global Voices |language=en}} The direct impacts are being felt more severely by pastoral communities due to depleting grasslands. UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) is operational in eastern Rukum, and is a development partner in areas such as climate vulnerability, sustainable environmental and economical development, among others.{{Cite web |title=Rukum East Cluster |url=https://www.umn.org.np/rukum/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=United Mission to Nepal |language=en-US}}

File:Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) female and juvenile.jpgs (Gavialis gangeticus) sun basking in Bardiya National Park]]

Three regions of the province have been designated as protected; two national parks in the Terai lowlands of Banke and Bardiya - namely Banke National Park and Bardiya National Park which constitute the Tiger Conservation Unit of Nepal and a hunting reserve in the north of the province called Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve in Eastern Rukum which is the only hunting reserve in the country.{{Cite web |title=DNPWC |url=http://dnpwc.gov.np/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation}}

With a multi-altitudinal variation in regional landscape stretching from high mountains in the north, to the hills in the middle and to the plains of the south; Lumbini province has 97 lakes with the plains of Terai constituting 92% of all the lakes of the province. The hilly and the mountain region constitute 6% and 2% of all the lakes respectively. District-wise, Rupandehi has 28 lakes making it the district with the largest number of lakes of the province; followed by Kapilvastu (24), Parasi (21), Dang (8), Banke (4), Bardiya (3), Arghakhanchi (2), Palpa (2),Pyuthan (2), Eastern Rukum (2) and Rolpa (2).{{Cite web |title=Lumbini Province – National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) |url=https://nepallake.gov.np/map-based-2/province-5/ |access-date=2023-03-25}} Some of the most popular lakes of the province are Bahrakune, Jakhera, Gajedi and Taalpokhara.

File:Babai River 07.jpg of Lumbini Province is a site of Paleolithic Hand axes, dated (1.8 million to 100,000 years ago)]]

One of the five sacred rivers of Buddhism, the ancient Airavati river now known as the West Rapti River, has its drainage source in the lesser Himalayas of Eastern Rukum in the north of the province.{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=P. |date=2016 |title=Flood and its relationship to developmental activities in Rapti river basin, Gorakhpur |journal=International Journal of Scientific & Innovative Research Studies |pages=26–35}} The river flows traversing the districts of Eastern Rukum, Rolpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Dang, and Banke. The river then flows to the Sravasti district of Indian State of Uttar Pradesh - one of the ancient and most sacred city of Buddhism where Gautama Buddha spent most of his life after enlightenment.{{Cite web |title=The Five Rivers of the Buddhists |url=http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/hoey.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=ccbs.ntu.edu.tw}} The Rohini River, one of the prominent river flowing through Kapilvastu and Rupandehi, is a left tributary of the West Rapti River. Gandaki River, on the north-east, marks the boundary of Lumbini province with Gandaki Province.

Another river called Babai River draining the inner Terai of Dang Valley, Salyan and Bardiya remains a river of particular international archeological interest. The discovery of ancient Hand axes and other artifacts on the deposits along the river in Dang Valley have marked the region as prehistoric. The artifacts have been dated to early Paleolithic (1.8 million to 100,000 years ago) and are classified as Acheulean or second-generation tools that succeed the oldest Olduwan.

In 2021 Lumbini had a census population of 5,122,078 with 1,141,902 households.{{Cite web|title=Nepal: Administrative Division (Provinces and Districts) – Population Statistics, Charts and Map|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/php/nepal-admin.php|access-date=29 October 2020|website=citypopulation.de|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927200948/http://www.citypopulation.de/php/nepal-admin.php|url-status=live}}

The province is very ethnically diverse. The largest group is the Magar with 14.6% of the population. The second largest is Tharu with 14.3%. The Khas/Chhetri (14.2%), Hill Brahmin (11.3%),

Musalman (6.9%), Kami (6.1%), ⁠Yadav (4.1%), Chamar‌‌ (2.1%), Damai (1.9%), Kurmi (1.7%), 1.{{Cite web|title=NID {{!}} Overview|url=https://nepalindata.com/overview/province/|access-date=24 October 2020|website=nepalmap.org|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026104221/https://www.nepalindata.com/overview/province/|url-status=live}}

{{Pie chart|thumb=left|caption = Ethnicities/castes of Lumbini

|label1 = Magar|value1 = 14.6|color1 = brown

|label2 = Tharu |value2 = 14.3 |color2 = darkgreen

|label3 = Chhetri |value3 = 14.2 |color3 = red

|label4 = Hill Brahmin |value4 = 11.3 |color4 = orange

|label5 = Musalman |value5 = 6.9 |color5 = green

|label6 = Kami |value6 = 6.1 |color6 = black

|label7 = Yadav |value7 = 4.1 |color7 = skyblue

|label8 = Chamar |value8 = 2.1 |color8 = hotpink

|label9 = Damai |value9 = 1.9 |color9 = lavender

|label10 = Kurmi |value10 = 1.7 |color10 = darkblue

|label11 = Others |value11 =

23.00 |color11 = whiteyellow

}}

The majority of population in the province practices Hinduism, followed by Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. Among these, almost 90% of the people identify themselves as Hindus and 7% identify themselves as Buddhists, 3% as Islam and 1% as Christians. Often cited as an example of social harmony, the majority population of Hindus and Muslims of Lumbini and the surrounding villages have safeguarded and promoted the Buddhist heritage sites together in unison.{{Cite web |title=Lumbini Development Trust- Birthplace of Buddha, Historical Place of Nepal, The World Heritage SiteLumbini Development Trust |url=https://lumbinidevtrust.gov.np/en/lumbini/content/111/29/3 |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=lumbinidevtrust.gov.np}} {{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Religion in Lumbini

| label1 = Hindu

| color1 = Orange

| value1 = 88.8

| label2 = Buddhism

| color2 = Yellow

| value2 = 6.9

| label3 = Islam

| color3 = Green

| value3 = 3.1

| label4 = Christianity

| color4 = Blue

| value4 = 1

| label5 = Other or not religious

| color5 = Black

| value5 = 0.3

}}

{{Main|Languages of Lumbini Province}}

Nepali is the most spoken language of the province, but is also a home to Tharu community and 'Tharu language' with 600,000 speakers. The province also has many speakers of Bhojpuri, Awadhi, and Magar languages.{{Cite web|title=NepalMap profile: Province No. 5|url=https://nepalmap.org/|access-date=14 October 2020|website=NepalMap|archive-date=16 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016044638/https://nepalmap.org/|url-status=live}}

The Language Commission of Nepal has recommended Tharu and Awadhi as official languages in the province. The commission has also recommended Bhojpuri, Magar and Maithili to be additional official languages, for specific regions and purposes in the province.{{cite web |title=सरकारी कामकाजको भाषाका आधारहरूको निर्धारण तथा भाषासम्बन्धी सिफारिसहरू (पञ्चवर्षीय प्रतिवेदन- साराांश) २०७८ |url=https://languagecommission.gov.np/files/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A3%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%20%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE.pdf |website=Language Commission |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906171816/https://languagecommission.gov.np/files/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A3%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%20%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Districts of Nepal|List of cities in Nepal|List of gaupalikas of Nepal}} There is a total of 109 local administrative units in the province which include four sub-metropolitan cities, 32 urban municipalities, and 73 rural municipalities.{{Cite web|title=स्थानिय तह|url=http://103.69.124.141|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831065451/http://103.69.124.141/|archive-date=31 August 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|website=103.69.124.141}}

File:Districts of Lumbini.png

{{Further|List of Districts of Lumbini}}

Districts in Nepal are the second level of administrative divisions after provinces. Lumbini Province is divided into 12 districts, which are listed below. A district is administered by the head of the District Coordination Committee and the District Administration Officer. The districts are further divided into municipalities or rural municipalities.

After the state's reconstruction of administrative divisions, Nawalparasi District and Rukum District were divided into Parasi District and Nawalpur District, and Eastern Rukum District and Western Rukum District respectively.{{Cite web|title=Govt decides to divide parts of Rukum and Nawalparasi|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2017/04/26/govt-decides-to-divide-parts-of-rukum-and-nawalparasi|access-date=1 January 2021|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183559/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2017/04/26/govt-decides-to-divide-parts-of-rukum-and-nawalparasi|url-status=live}}

Cities and villages are governed by municipalities in Nepal. A district may have one or more municipalities. Lumbini has two types of municipalities.

1. Urban Municipality {{small|(Urban Municipality has three levels):}}
2. Metropolitan city (Mahanagarpalika)
3. Sub-metropolitan city (Upa-mahanagarpalika) and
4. Municipality (Nagarpalika)
5. Rural Municipality (Gaunpalika)

The government of Nepal has set out a minimum criteria to meet city and towns. These criteria include a certain population, infrastructure and revenues.

{{Largest cities

| country = Lumbini Province

| stat_ref = Central Bureau of Statistics [http://cbs.gov.np/image/data/2017/Population_Ward_Level_753_Local_Unit.pdf]

| list_by_pop =

| div_name =

| div_link = List of districts of Nepal{{!}}District

|city_1 = Ghorahi

|div_1 = Dang District, Nepal{{!}}Dang

|pop_1 = 156,164

|img_1 =World's largest trident(Trishul).jpg

|city_2 = Tulsipur, Dang{{!}}Tulsipur

|div_2 = Dang District, Nepal{{!}}Dang

|pop_2 = 141,528

|img_2 =

|city_3 = Nepalgunj

|div_3 = Banke District{{!}}Banke

|pop_3 = 138,951

|img_3 = Nepalgunj skyline.jpg

|city_4 = Butwal

|div_4 = Rupandehi District{{!}}Rupandehi

|pop_4 = 138,741

|img_4 = Evening View of Butwal from Nuwakot.jpg

|city_5 = Tilottama, Rupandehi{{!}}Tilottama

|div_5 = Rupandehi District{{!}}Rupandehi

|pop_5 = 100,149

|city_6 = Kapilvastu Municipality{{!}}Kapilvastu

|div_6 = Kapilvastu District{{!}}Kapilvastu

|pop_6 = 76,394

|city_7 = Banganga, Nepal{{!}}Banganga

|div_7 = Kapilvastu District{{!}}Kapilvastu

|pop_7 = 75,242

|city_8 = Lumbini Sanskritik

|div_8 = Rupandehi District{{!}}Rupandehi

|pop_8 = 72,497

|city_9 = Kohalpur

|div_9 = Banke District{{!}}Banke

|pop_9 = 70,647

|city_10 = Barbardiya

|div_10 = Bardiya District{{!}}Bardiya

|pop_10 = 68,012

|city_11 = Shivaraj Municipality{{!}}Shivaraj

|div_11 = Kapilvastu District{{!}}Kapilvastu

|pop_11 = 66,781

|city_12 = Gulariya

|div_12 = Bardiya District{{!}}Bardiya

|pop_12 = 66,679

|city_13 = Buddhabhumi

|div_13 = Kapilvastu District{{!}}Kapilvastu

|pop_13 = 64,949

|city_14 = Siddharthanagar

|div_14 = Rupandehi District{{!}}Rupandehi

|pop_14 = 63,483

|city_15 = Krishnanagar, Nepal{{!}}Krishnanagar

|div_15 = Kapilvastu District{{!}}Kapilvastu

|pop_15 = 65,602

|city_16 = Rajapur, Nepal{{!}}Rajapur

|div_16 = Bardiya District{{!}}Bardiya

|pop_16 = 59,553

|city_17 = Ramgram, Nepal{{!}}Ramgram

|div_17 = Parasi District{{!}}Parasi

|pop_17 = 59,455

|city_18 = Bansgadhi

|div_18 = Bardiya District{{!}}Bardiya

|pop_18 = 55,875

|city_19 = Sainamaina

|div_19 = Rupandehi District{{!}}Rupandehi

|pop_19 = 55,822

|city_20 = Sunwal

|div_20 = Parasi District{{!}}Parasi

|pop_20 = 55,424

}}

{{Main|Provincial governments of Nepal|3 = Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary cabinet {{!}} Cabinet of Lumbini Province}}

The Governor acts as the head of the province, while the Chief Minister is the head of the provincial government. The Chief Judge of the Tulsipur High Court is the head of the judiciary.{{Cite news|title=High Courts get their chief judges|language=en|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-09-19/high-courts-get-their-chief-judges.html|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155525/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-09-19/high-courts-get-their-chief-judges.html|url-status=live}} The Speaker of the Assembly is Purna Bahadur Gharti.{{Cite web|title=Yadav, Gharti sworn in as speakers|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/02/15/yadav-gharti-sworn-in-as-speakers|access-date=1 January 2021|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183529/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/02/15/yadav-gharti-sworn-in-as-speakers|url-status=live}} Umakanta Jha is the first Governor of Lumbini Province.{{Cite web|date=17 January 2018|title=Government finalises provinces' governors and temporary headquarters {{!}} NepaleKhabar.com|url=http://nepalekhabar.com/2018/01/79987|access-date=1 January 2021|website=nepaleKhabar|language=en-US|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115144640/http://nepalekhabar.com/2018/01/79987|url-status=live}} Current Governor Dharma Nath Yadav was appointed on 4 November 2019 by the President of Nepal.{{Cite web|title=Who is who: These are new governors of Nepal's seven provinces|url=https://english.onlinekhabar.com/who-is-who-these-are-new-governors-of-nepals-seven-provinces.html|access-date=1 January 2021|website=OnlineKhabar English News|date=5 November 2019 |language=en-GB|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628202744/https://english.onlinekhabar.com/who-is-who-these-are-new-governors-of-nepals-seven-provinces.html|url-status=live}}

{{Further|Provincial Assembly of Lumbini Province}}Lumbini provincial assembly is the unicameral legislative assembly consisting of 87 members. Candidates for each constituency are chosen by the political parties or stand as independents. Each constituency elects one member under the first past the post (FPTP) system of election. The current constitution specifies that sixty percent of the members should be elected from the first past the post system and forty percent through the party-list proportional representation (PR) system. Women should account for one-third of total members elected from each party. If one-third percentage are not elected, the party that fails to ensure so shall have to elect one-third of the total number as women through the party-list proportional representation.

{{Main|Economy in Lumbini Province}}

File:Evening View of Butwal from Nuwakot.jpg is considered the financial capital of Lumbini.]]

As of 2021, Lumbini Province is the 2nd fastest growing province in Nepal after Bagmati Province and is third out of the seven provinces in terms of its contribution to the GDP (14% as of 2021). The two major custom points of Nepal, Nepalganj and Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa) are situated in the south of the province, and are major transit zones of trade and transport through India.{{Cite web|title=Plan For Development Of State 5|url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/featured/plan-for-development-of-state-5|access-date=16 November 2021|website=GorakhaPatra|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116211451/https://risingnepaldaily.com/featured/plan-for-development-of-state-5|url-status=live}} The rapidly expanding cities in Lumbini province, Butwal and Siddharthanagar in Rupandehi District, Ghorahi and Tulsipur in Dang District, and Nepalgunj and Kohalpur in Banke District are major industrial centers.{{Cite web|title=NRB Study Shows Lumbini has High Potential in Agriculture, Tourism, and Industries|url=http://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/14000|access-date=16 November 2021|website=newbusinessage.com|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116231938/http://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/14000|url-status=live}}

Ranking 2nd in the number of banks and financial institutions in Nepal after Bagmati Province; several projects have been launched in the province to boost economic growth. Construction of the Gautam Buddha International Airport, upgrade of the Nepalgunj Airport into an international airport as per the 20-years master plan, establishment of industrial units in Special economic zone, and the opening of new hotels are expected to spur further economic growth in the province.{{Cite web|title=Airport construction triggers hotel boom in Rupandehi|url=https://kathmandupost.com/money/2018/04/12/airport-construction-triggers-hotel-boom-in-rupandehi|access-date=29 October 2020|website=kathmandupost.com|language=en|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224191707/https://kathmandupost.com/money/2018/04/12/airport-construction-triggers-hotel-boom-in-rupandehi|url-status=live}} The national pride projects which have been initiated in the province include:{{Cite book|title=Economic Activity Research-First Half Yearly Report(2077/78 BS)|publisher=Central Bank of Nepal|year=2021|pages=35–36|language=Nepali}}

The province has both temperate and tropical climates and is diverse in terms of agriculture crop production potentialities. The province is best suited for agriculture production with five core terai districts, one inner terai, and 6 other hill districts. The land is very fertile and a good source of irrigation prevails. Sikta Irrigation Project and Babai Diversion and Irrigation project have benefited the agricultural production. The major crops are paddy, mustard, wheat, maize, sugarcane, vegetables, potato, lentils and cotton.{{Cite web|title=कृषि विभाग|url=http://doanepal.gov.np/ne/|access-date=4 January 2021|website=doanepal.gov.np|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122184022/http://doanepal.gov.np/ne/|url-status=live}} Lumbini is self-sufficient in milk, cereal crops and pulses.

{{Box|The total land used for agriculture in Lumbini is 889,219 hectares. Land Holding for agriculture in the province is 484,678 hectares.|header=|align=left|inline=|style=solid|border color=green|box type=inline-block|wide=no|right padding=}}

Lumbini province ranks 2nd in the country after Bagmati Province in the share of small, cottage and micro-level industries numbering 81,164 that create an estimated 493,686 employment.{{Cite book|title=Economic Survey 2020/2021|publisher=Government of Nepal, Ministry of Finance|year=2021|pages=214–222|language=English}} The province also ranks 2nd nationally, after Bagmati, in the share of manufacturing industry output.{{Cite journal |title=Economic survey of Nepal 2022/2023 |journal=Economic Survey of Ministry of Finance, Government of Nepal}} By 2021, there were 16,549 registered companies in the province. In 2022, Samsung Electronics inaugurated a television assembly plant in Nawalparasi.{{Cite web |title=Ambassador Park attends the foundation ceremony of Samsung Electronics TV factory 상세보기{{!}}Bilateral RelationsEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal |url=https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/np-en/brd/m_1716/view.do?seq=759105 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=overseas.mofa.go.kr}} Making the country self-sufficient in cement, Lumbini has the largest number of cement industries and constitutes 75% of total national production.Study of Optimum Forest Area for Lumbini Province to Balance Development and Environment. Issued by Province Planning Commission, Lumbini Province. Available at https://ppc.lumbini.gov.np/media/bids/Optimum_Forest_Study-_ToR-Revised_aAMybE8.pdf

File:Samsung Electronics logo (english).svg has television assembly plant in Lumbini province]]

Two of the prime industrial estates of Nepal in Lumbini Province - Nepalgunj industrial estate (district), the oldest industrial estate of the province, was established in 1973 AD and Butwal industrial estate was established in 1975 AD. Combined, the two industrial estates have about a hundred industries in the zone and are a significant source of revenue of the country. Post-promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2015, further industrial estates were declared in the province by the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal: Motipur industrial estate in Rupandehi and Naubasta industrial estate in Banke districts.{{Cite web|title=Industrial District Management Limited|url=https://www.idm.org.np/|access-date=2022-02-07|website=www.idm.org.np}} Similarly, Dang industrial estate has been declared in Dang district.{{Cite web|last=RSS|title=Govt decides to establish an industrial estate in Dang|url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/104365/|access-date=2022-02-07|website=My Republica|language=en}}

In addition, tourism industry is a massively growing industry in Lumbini province, welcoming the largest numbers of tourists in Nepal from about 113 countries worldwide.{{Cite web |last=HABIB |first=MOHAMMAD |title=1.3m tourists from 113 nations visit Lumbini |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/82065/ |access-date=2021-12-28 |website=My Republica |language=en}}

{{Main|Tourism in Lumbini Province}}

Lumbini, considered one of the holiest place in Buddhism associated with the Buddha's birth, is a World Heritage Site and the most visited place in Nepal with 1.5 million tourist arriving annually.{{Cite web|last=Sansar|first=Nepali|date=6 January 2020|title=Lumbini Tourist Arrivals Reach 1.5 Million in 2019|url=https://www.nepalisansar.com/tourism/lumbini-tourist-arrivals-reach-1-5-million-in-2019/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525144046/https://www.nepalisansar.com/tourism/lumbini-tourist-arrivals-reach-1-5-million-in-2019/|archive-date=25 May 2021|access-date=25 May 2021|website=Nepali Sansar|language=en-US}} Lumbini has a number of older temples, including the Mayadevi Temple - a site traditionally considered to be the birthplace of the Buddha, and various new temples funded by Buddhist organizations from various countries that have been completed or are still under construction.

File:BRP Lumbini Mayadevi temple.jpg marking the Buddha's birthplace]]

The ancient ruins of complex structures have been conserved in the area including the Shakya tank – the remains within the Mayadevi Temple with brick structures and cross-wall system that have been dated from the 3rd century BC, Ashoka pillar, excavated remains of Buddhist monasteries of the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD and the remains of Buddhist stupas (memorial shrines) dated between the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD.{{Cite web|title=Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/666/|access-date=12 November 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-date=9 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909144335/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/666|url-status=live}} In addition to the ruins of ancient monasteries, there is a sacred Bodhi tree and an ancient bathing pond.

File:French monastery.jpg monastery in Lumbini complex]]

File:Royal Thai Monastery, Lumbini.jpg|Royal Thai monastery

File:Stupa in Lumbini.jpg|South Korean Stupa

File:2015-03-16 Lumbini（Sri Lanka temple）ルンビニ・スリランカ寺 DSCF1296.jpg|Sri Lankan Temple

File:Garden of Field of Stupas (German Monastery) - Lumbini Development Zone - Lumbini - Nepal (13848651175).jpg|German monastery

File:Austrian monastery 2.jpg|Austrian monastery

File:Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery, Lumbini, Nepal.jpg|Chinese Monastery

File:World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini.jpg

File:Shanti dip, Lumbini.jpg|179x179px]]Lumbini complex is divided into three areas: Sacred garden, Monastic zone, Cultural center and new Lumbini village. The sacred garden is the epicenter of the complex which is centered around the birthplace of Buddha and consists of the Mayadevi Temple, the Asoka Pillar, the Marker Stone, the Nativity Sculpture, Sacred Pond (Puskarini), and many structural ruins including Buddhist Viharas & Stupas.{{Cite web|title=Lumbini Development Trust- Birthplace of Buddha, Historical Place of Nepal, The World Heritage SiteLumbini Development Trust|url=http://lumbinidevtrust.gov.np/en/lumbini/content/19|access-date=12 November 2021|website=lumbinidevtrust.gov.np|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112191710/http://lumbinidevtrust.gov.np/en/lumbini/content/19|url-status=live}} The monastic zone is divided into east and west each reflecting two different schools of Buddhism. As a centre of pilgrimage, many countries have established their monasteries in the complex reflecting their own cultural design and spirituality. In the large monastic zone only monasteries can be built; no shops, hotels or restaurants are allowed. The zone is divided into an eastern and western monastic zone, the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having the Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. The Cultural Center consists of museums, Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI), administration complex etc. and the New Lumbini Village has the World Peace Pagoda and the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary. World Peace Pagoda lies at the northern end of the Lumbini complex and was designed by Japanese buddhists to represent universal peace.

File:Ruins within Maya Devi Temple Complex.jpg|Ruins within Maya Devi Temple complex

File:Lumbini,The Birth Place Of Gautam Buddha.jpg|Sacred Pond adjacent to Temple

File:The little Buddha statue at Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini,.jpg|Little Buddha Statue

File:Shanti stupa, World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini.jpg|World Peace Stupa gate

Widely attributed as the hometown of Gautama Buddha, the Kapilvastu District of present-day Nepal has more than 130 archaeological sites, primarily concentrated in Tilaurakot, Kudan, Gotihawa, Niglihawa, Araurakot, Sagarhawa and Sisaniya. The region is also considered the hometown of two previous Buddhas before Gautama: Kakusandha Buddha who was born in Gotihawa and Koṇāgamana Buddha who was born in Niglihawa.{{Cite web|title=Lumbini Development Trust- Birthplace of Buddha, Historical Place of Nepal, The World Heritage SiteLumbini Development Trust|url=http://lumbinidevtrust.gov.np/en/greater-lumbini-area/content/73|access-date=12 November 2021|website=lumbinidevtrust.gov.np|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116060955/http://lumbinidevtrust.gov.np/en/greater-lumbini-area/content/73|url-status=live}} Among three Ashoka pillars in Nepal, two are situated in Gotihawa and Niglihawa erected during King Ashoka's visit to ancient Kapilvastu. Tilaurakot, considered the cardinal point of the ancient Shakyan city of Kapilavastu where Gautama Buddha spent 29 years of his lifetime, was added to the World Heritage Tentative List by UNESCO in 1996.{{Cite web|title=Tilaurakot, the archaeological remains of ancient Shakya Kingdom|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/840/|access-date=17 November 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620101939/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/840/|url-status=live}}

File:Tilaurakot, Taulihawa Kapilbastu Lumbini Zone Western Nepal 2, Rajesh Dhungana.jpg|Ruins of ancient Kapilavastu at Tilaurakot

File:Gotihawa Ashok Pillar Buddha Kapilvastu Lumbini Zone Nepal Rajesh Dhungana (5).jpg|Kakusandha Buddha Ashoka Pillar

File:Koṇāgamana Buddha Ashoka (1).JPG|Koṇāgamana Buddha Ashoka Pillar

Kudan is another key historical site related to Buddha's life, where he reunited with his family after attaining enlightenment.

{{Main|Ramagrama stupa}}

After the death of Gautama Buddha, his relics were divided among eight princes out of sixteen mahājanapadās.

A Koliyan king of Rāmagrāma (present Parasi district), built a stupa enshrining one relic.

Known as the only undisturbed original relic of Buddha in the world, the site of stupa was added to the World Heritage Tentative List by UNESCO on 23 May 1996.

File:Sundaha in Eastern Rukum by Hemanta Rai.jpg]]

File:Mountain Sisne.jpg) along the mountain range]]

File:Jaljala view point.jpgs of Northern Lumbini Province]]

The Dhaulagiri circuit in Eastern Rukum encompasses the Dhaulagiri mountain range of the northern Lumbini Province. The Dhaulagiri mountain range extends from the northwest to the northeast of Eastern Rukum district and then continues eastward to its tallest peak at Dhaulagiri I. Putha Hiunchuli (Dhaulagiri VII), one of the most popular 7,000-metre mountains, was first climbed by British explorer J. O. M. Roberts and Sherpa Ang Nyima in 1954.{{Cite web|title=Putha Hiunchuli Climbing|url=https://www.asianhikingteam.com/putha-hiunchuli-climbing.html|access-date=19 October 2021|website=asianhikingteam.com|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019214856/https://www.asianhikingteam.com/putha-hiunchuli-climbing.html|url-status=live}}

File:Rukum east Himalayas.jpg features some of the most popular 7,000-meter mountains of the Himalayas]]

The West Dhaulagiri circuit is a tourist trekking circuit close to the Dhaulagiri mountain range and Magar-majority villages, with a distinct preserved Kham Magar culture of the northern Lumbini province. The circuit's eastern portion is situated along the Dhorpatan reserve of Eastern Rukum, which was designated to preserve high-altitude ecosystems in western Nepal in 1983.{{Cite web |title=DNPWC |url=http://dnpwc.gov.np/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218180540/http://dnpwc.gov.np/ |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=19 October 2021 |website=Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation}} The reserve harbours alpine, sub-alpine and high temperate vegetation and 137 species of birds. Endangered animals in the reserve include the musk deer, wolf, red panda, cheer pheasant and danphe.

Bardiya National Park is the largest national park in the lowland Terai, covering 968 square kilometres.

It was established in 1976 to protect the representative ecosystem, habitats of tigers and their prey species.

As a beautiful, unspoiled wilderness of sal forest, grassland, and alluvial washes cut by the many fingers of the Karnali River, it is a popular tourist destination, offering elephant rides and wilderness sight-seeing of Gangetic dolphins, tigers, rhinos and elephants.

In 1997, a buffer zone of 327 square kilometres surrounding the park was declared, consisting of forests and private lands.

The buffer zone is jointly managed by the local communities and the park and community development and resource management is carried out jointly.{{Cite web|title=DNPWC|url=http://dnpwc.gov.np/|access-date=16 November 2021|website=Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218180540/http://dnpwc.gov.np/|url-status=live}}

The Babai valley, which is rich in biodiversity, was added to the park in 1984.

The zone has wooded grassland and riverine forest and its water is home to Gharial crocodile.

More than 30 different mammals, 513 species of birds and several species of snakes, lizard and fishes have been recorded in the park area.{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.bardianationalpark.gov.np/index.php/en/|access-date=16 November 2021|website=bardianationalpark.gov.np|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116232140/https://www.bardianationalpark.gov.np/index.php/en/|url-status=live}}

{{Box|A tiger monitoring study conducted (July 2016) in Bardiya National Park in Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape has estimated 56 wild tigers, an increase of six from the 2013 estimate for the national park. —WWF}}

File:Sunset bardiya.jpg]]

File:One horned rhino at Bardiya national pak.JPG]]

File:Bardia forest.jpg|Forest trees of Bardiya National Park

File:Banke National Park.jpg|Banke National Park

File:Deers at Bardiya National Park.jpg|Deers at Bardiya National Park

Banke National Park, adjacent to the Bardiya National Park with the coherent protected area of 1,518 km² (586 sq mi), represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU).

The national park was established in 2010 and is a protected area of tiger and four-horned antelopes. The park extends over 550 square kilometers in Banke district of the province. Banke National Park is connected with Bardiya National Park in the west and wildlife sanctuary and forests of India in the south. The protected zone is an important component of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) that provides habitat for tigers.

The park has eight ecosystem types: Sal forest, deciduous Riverine forest, savannahs and grasslands, mixed hardwood forest, flood plain community, Bhabar and foothills of Chure range. It is home to 124 plants, 34 mammals, more than 300 birds, 24 reptiles, 7 amphibians and 58 fish species. Under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973, 3 species of mammals (tiger, striped hyaena, four-horned antelope), 4 species of birds (giant hornbill, black stork, Bengal florican, and lesser florican) and 2 species of reptiles (gharial crocodile and python) are protected in the park.{{Cite web|title=Biodiversity|url=https://bankenationalpark.gov.np/biodiversity/|access-date=16 November 2021|website=Banke National Park|language=en-US|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116231955/https://bankenationalpark.gov.np/biodiversity/|url-status=live}}

Religious sitesFile:World's largest trident(Trishul).jpg) in Dang valley believed to be where five Pandavas brother prayed to Lord Shiva|240x240px]]

File:Goraksh or Ratnanath or Choughara Temple Chaughara Ghorahi Dang Nepal Rajesh Dhungana (33).jpg Temple in Dang district]]

The culture of the province has been shaped by multi-religious and multi-ethnic demography as well as the historical development of the Indian sub-continent. Hinduism, the dominant religion of the province and the cultural sacred sites related to it, are prevalent throughout the province. Hinduism flourished overwhelmingly in Dang valley where the cultural centers of the Hindu Nath tradition connected to Yogi Gorakhnath were established long before the creation of modern Nepal. A prominent Gorakhnath temple in Dang district, also known as Ratnanath temple, remained an ancient temple which was respected and protected by the ruling kings of the region throughout - including the later kings of the Shah dynasty.{{Cite journal |last=Bouillier |first=Veronique |title=The Nepalese State and Gorakhnathi Yogis: The case of the former kingdoms of Dang valley: 18-19th centuries. |url=https://www.academia.edu/11198804}}

File:Jama Masjid Rahmaniya.jpg, one of the oldest mosque of Nepal]]

Further popular Hindu sites in Dang district include Ambikeshwori Temple with a deity of Shiva and Goddess Sati Devi; and Pandaveswor temple which has the world's largest trident and believed to be where the five Pandavas brother prayed to Lord Shiva.{{Cite web |title=GBIA |url=https://airports.caanepal.gov.np/gbia/training-detail/29 |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=airports.caanepal.gov.np |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Basnet |first=Devendra |title=Trishul turns Dang temple into tourist spot |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/21056/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183654/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/mycity/news/trishul-turns-dang-temple-into-tourist-spot |archive-date=17 November 2021 |access-date=12 November 2021 |website=My City |language=en}} Other prominent temples of the province include Bhairabsthan Temple of Palpa where Lord Bhairava is worshipped as a deity and Swargadwari temple of Pyuthan which has the deities of Shiva and Vishnu.

File:Lumbini, Buddhist pilgrims 2, Tree, Nepal.jpg pilgrims resting on a tree in Lumbini]]

Islam, the second-most followed religion of the province, is mostly distributed in the southern districts bordering India. Kapilvastu and Banke districts have one of the largest Muslim population of Nepal and along with Rupandehi, constitute almost half of all the Muslims in Nepal.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-16 |title=National Muslim Commission |url=http://www.nmc.gov.np/site/cms/11 |access-date=2023-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416060847/http://www.nmc.gov.np/site/cms/11 |archive-date=16 April 2019 }} One of the oldest mosque of Nepal established in 1950 AD, Jama Masjid Rahmaniya, is situated in Rupandehi District.

Within and around Lumbini, sacred sites related to the birth and childhood of Gautama Buddha are pilgrimage centers for Buddhists throughout the world. Lumbini Development Trust, an autonomous and non-profit organization manages the Buddhist sites in Lumbini and the master plan is initiated together with the United Nations to ensure long-term safeguarding of the archeological sites of global importance.{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/666/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en}}

Rani Mahal

After being forced to drop his royal titles, General Khadga Shumsher was sent to Palpa as a Commander in Chief of Nepal where his beloved youngest wife, Rani Tej Kumari Devi, died. The General constructed a grand palace and named it after his wife as Rani Mahal ("Queen's Palace") in 1893 AD. He also named the nearby forest around the palace as Rani ban ("Queen's forest").{{Cite web |title=Rani Mahal {{!}} Tansen Municipality |url=https://www.tansenmun.gov.np/en/content/rani-mahal |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.tansenmun.gov.np |language=en}} The palace is at the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. File:Rani Mahal at Palpa.JPG at Palpa|none|168x168px]]Supa Deurali TempleFile:सुपा देउराली मन्दिर 01.JPG in Arghakhanchi ]]

Supa Deurali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Sandhikharka municipality, Arghakhanchi district of Nepal.{{Citation | publisher = Department of Rural Development| last = Bhusal| first = Rekha| title = Impact Analysis of Supa Deurali Temple Tourism in Arghakhanchi| access-date = 2024-03-29| date = 2020| url = https://elibrary.tucl.edu.np/handle/123456789/9564}} It lies at an altitude of about 4,500 feet. Supadevi is considered to fulfill the wishes of devotees.{{Cite web| title = GBIA| access-date = 2024-03-29| url = https://gbia.caanepal.gov.np/destination-detail/23}}{{Cite web| title = Supa Deurali Temple - Visits Nepal| access-date = 2024-03-29| date = 2021-05-08| url = https://visitsnepal.com/product/supa-deurali-temple/}} In addition to goddess Bhagavati, there are idols of Ganesh, Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Shiva in the temple.{{Cite web| title = सुपा देउराली मन्दिर (फोटो फिचर)| work = GorakhaPatra| access-date = 2024-03-29| url = https://gorkhapatraonline.com/news/82016}} The donation received from the devotee is used to run two local schools.

File:Universal College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital (UCMS).jpg]]

As per the 2021 census, Lumbini's literacy rate was above the national average at 78.1%, the national average being 76.2%.{{Cite web |title=literacy {{!}} national housing_census year results |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/np/literacy?province=5 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=censusnepal.cbs.gov.np}} The breakdown of the data showed that the male literacy stood at 85.2% while female literacy stood at 71.7% in the province. District-wise, Palpa and Dang were the best performers with literacy rate of 83.7% and 81.4% respectively, followed by Rupandehi at 81.2%. Nationally, Palpa was also among the top five districts of Nepal with highest literacy rate alongside Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kaski.{{Cite web |title=literacy {{!}} national housing_census year results |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/np/literacy?province=5&district=52 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=censusnepal.cbs.gov.np}}

By 2014, Palpa District was one of the first 4 "fully literate" districts of Nepal, achieving a literacy rate of over 95%.{{Cite web|title=Government deadline for total literacy likely to be pushed yet again|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/09/09/government-deadline-for-total-literacy-likely-to-be-pushed-yet-again|access-date=9 November 2021|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305183026/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/09/09/government-deadline-for-total-literacy-likely-to-be-pushed-yet-again|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Mustang declared 'fully literate district'|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2014/07/17/mustang-declared-fully-literate-district|access-date=9 November 2021|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183630/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2014/07/17/mustang-declared-fully-literate-district|url-status=live}} By 2018, further districts of Lumbini province namely, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Pyuthan, Dang, Parasi, Rupandehi, Rolpa, Bardiya and Eastern Rukum District were classified as fully literate districts of Nepal.{{Cite web|title=Total Literate Districts of Nepal|url=https://www.gyanpark.com.np/2018/02/total-literate-districts-of-nepal.html|access-date=9 November 2021|website=Gyan Park › A Genuine Resource|language=English|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183556/https://www.gyanpark.com.np/2018/02/total-literate-districts-of-nepal.html|url-status=live}}

Universities

• Nepal Sanskrit University
• Rapti Academy of Health Sciences
• Lumbini Bauddha University

File:Shree Tinau International Hospital, Butwal.jpg]]

According to the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2016, the Province's Neonatal Mortality (per 1000 live births) stands at 30 and Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) stands at 42, both of which are higher than the national average of 21 and 32 respectively. The province has 670 public health facilities, including four hub hospitals, 18 hospitals, two regional medical stores, 31 primary health care centers, 570 health posts, 27 urban health centers, 15 community health units and 9 other health facilities.{{Cite web|title=WHO Nepal COVID-19 Profile 2020: Lumbini Province – Nepal|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/who-nepal-covid-19-profile-2020-lumbini-province|access-date=25 May 2021|website=ReliefWeb|date=25 May 2021 |language=en|archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525144038/https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/who-nepal-covid-19-profile-2020-lumbini-province|url-status=live}}

In Lumbini province, 49.2% of the population have radio access and followed by 30.4% have access to TV, and only 39.7% have access to the internet. Similarly, 4.4% of the population have access to landline telephone, while 75.5% have access to mobile phone. There are three major cell phone providers in Lumbini Province. They are Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited (NTC), Ncell Axiata Limited (NCELL) and Smart Cell. The coverage of Smart Cell providers is only in 5 districts.

There are 66 newspaper channels in Lumbini Province with national, provincial, and local outreach. As per the classification, some of the top-ranking newspapers are Gorachya Dainik, Dainik Nepalgunj, and Mechikali Sandesh Dainik. There are a total of 63 radio stations in the province, such as Radio Lumbini, Radio Tulsipur, Bheri F.M., etc.

File:तिनाउ नदी.jpg|222x222px]]

91% of the population has access to electricity in the province. Of the 12 districts in Lumbini Province, Parasi, Kapilvastu and Bardiya have been electrified by more than 99 percent. Gulmi, Arghakhanchi and Rupandehi have more than 95 percent electrification and Rukum East has the lowest electrification of 11.25 percent.{{Cite web|last=Republica|title=Over 86 percent households have now access to electricity through national grid|url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/98008/|access-date=29 October 2020|website=My Republica|language=en|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183652/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/98008/|url-status=live}} Lumbini generates 21.2 MW of electricity from hydropower.{{Cite web|title=Ministry of Finance – Government of Nepal|url=https://www.mof.gov.np/en/mof-nepali-pages-51.html|access-date=24 October 2020|website=mof.gov.np|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027044143/https://www.mof.gov.np/en/mof-nepali-pages-51.html|url-status=live}} Total number of electricity consumers in the province is 457992, consuming 370.8 Million MWh of energy annually. According to NEA, Distribution and Consumer Service Directorate 93% of consumers are domestic users; loss of electricity in the province is 12.17% for the year 2076/77 (2020 AD). Out of the total loss in distribution provincial office, Gularia contributes the highest loss percentage of 25.02%.

File:Butwal Solar PV Project.png|none|270x270px]]

Butwal Solar PV Project, Nepal's first private grid-connected solar power plant, was connected to national transmission line in October 2020. Ridi Hydropower Company has constructed the power plant in Tilottama of Rupendehi District. With over 32,000 solar panels of 330 watts each, the plant can generate 8.5 MW of electricity.{{Cite web|title=Butwal Solar Power Project (8.5 MW) Connected To National Transmission Line|url=https://www.investopaper.com/news/butwal-solar-power-project/|access-date=31 October 2020|website=Investopaper|language=en|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107000549/https://www.investopaper.com/news/butwal-solar-power-project/|url-status=live}}File:Butwal-Bhairahawa Road.png)]]

Transportation routes in Lumbini evolved since 30px H01. Lumbini has two major routes, 30px H01 and 30px H10 both intersecting in Butwal. 8,931 km of road is constructed in the Province. Out of which 5,293 km is blacktopped.

File:Rapti Bridge, Nepal second longest bridge.jpg district{{Cite web|last=Sen|first=Sandeep|date=30 October 2019|title=Nepal's second longest bridge construction completes|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nepals-second-longest-bridge-construction-completes|access-date=12 November 2021|website=The Himalayan Times|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112191712/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nepals-second-longest-bridge-construction-completes|url-status=live}}]]

All 12 districts of the province are connected via blacktopped roads. Major highways of the province are as follows:

1. Mahendra Highway: Mahendra Highway(30x30px H01) traverses districts of Bardiya, Banke, Dang, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Parasi latitudinally. It connects to Bagmati to east and Sudurpaschim to the west.
2. Ratna Highway: Ratna Highway (30x30px H12) to Karnali Province. It starts at Nepal- India border in Nepalgunj and terminates at Birendranagar, Surkhet. The highway transition into the Karnali Highway system from the point it terminates.
3. Rapti Highway: Rapti Highway (30x30px H11) starts from Ameliya, Dang and terminates at Musikot West Rukum. This highway makes hilly regions of Rolpa, Salyan West Rukum and east Rukum accessible.
4. Siddhartha Highway: Siddhartha Highway(30x30px H10) highway starts at Nepal-India Border in Siddharthanagar and terminates at Prithivi chowk, Pokhara. The major settlements on the highway are Siddharthanagar, Butwal, Tansen, Waling, Putalibazar, Syangja and Pokhara.
5. Hulaki Highway: Postal Highway(30x30px H17)

Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj have always been major trade routes with India. Lumbini has no railways but East West railway, Kathmandu-Lumbini railway and several other routes connecting Indian cities are planned.{{Cite web|last=Pariyar|first=Binod|title=Survey begins for Mechi-Mahakali Electric Railway|url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/53293/|access-date=29 October 2020|website=My Republica|language=en|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109191738/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/53293/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=At upcoming talks, Nepal and China to discuss Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini railways|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/11/23/at-upcoming-talks-nepal-and-china-to-discuss-kathmandu-pokhara-lumbini-railways|access-date=29 October 2020|website=kathmandupost.com|language=en|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809083113/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/11/23/at-upcoming-talks-nepal-and-china-to-discuss-kathmandu-pokhara-lumbini-railways|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=India willing to expedite Kathmandu-Raxaul railway project|url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2020/28/123222/|access-date=29 October 2020|website=Khabarhub|date=28 August 2020|language=en|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219163652/https://english.khabarhub.com/2020/28/123222/|url-status=live}}

Gautam Buddha International Airport, Nepalgunj Airport and Dang Airport are major airstrips in the province. Nepalgunj Airport, Nepal's second most busiest airport after Tribhuwan International Airport, is being upgraded to an international airport as per the 20 year master plan.{{Cite web|title=Upgrading of Nepalgunj airport looks 20 years ahead|url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/business/upgrading-of-nepalgunj-airport-looks-20-years-ahead|access-date=2021-12-07|website=GorakhaPatra|language=en}} Being mostly flat land air travel isn't preferable but Nepalgunj Airport serves as hub for most of the airports in Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province and is a transit point for tourists heading to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash in Tibet.{{Cite news|last=Chandra|first=Jagriti|date=2019-01-17|title=Nepalgunj flight a boost for Mansarovar pilgrims|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nepalgunj-flight-a-boost-for-mansarovar-pilgrims/article26018265.ece|access-date=2021-12-07|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|date=2019-05-20|title=Nepalgunj Airport faces flight pressure after the beginning of Mansarovar season|url=https://nepal24hours.com/nepalgunj-airport-faces-flight-pressure-after-the-beginning-of-pilgrimage-season/|access-date=2021-12-07|website=Nepal24Hours.com - 'Integration Through Media'|language=en}} New airports are under construction in Resunga (Gulmi District) and Sandhikharka (Arghakhanchi District).{{Cite web|date=14 December 2017|title=Arghakhanchi airport construction project initiates|url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/arghakhanchi-airport-construction-project-initiates/|access-date=26 October 2020|website=Aviation Nepal|language=en-US|archive-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306073555/https://www.aviationnepal.com/arghakhanchi-airport-construction-project-initiates/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=28 April 2019|title=Reshunga Airport to see its runway blacktopped|url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/reshunga-airport-to-see-its-runway-blacktopped/|access-date=26 October 2020|website=Aviation Nepal|language=en-US|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109191758/https://www.aviationnepal.com/reshunga-airport-to-see-its-runway-blacktopped/|url-status=live}}

File:Nepalgunj AIrport .jpg|Nepalgunj Airport is Nepal's second-most busiest airport after TIA

File:Gautam Buddha International Airport.jpg|Lumbini hosts Nepal's second international airport - Gautam Buddha International Airport

• List of provinces of Nepal
• List of districts of Nepal
• List of mayors of municipalities in Nepal
• List of districts of Lumbini Province
• Tourism in Lumbini Province
• Economy of Lumbini Province

{{reflist|33em}}

{{Geographic Location

| Centre = Lumbini

| North = Karnali

| Northeast = Gandaki

| East = Gandaki

| Southeast =Bihar, {{flag|India}}

| South = Uttar Pradesh, {{flag|India}}

| Southwest =

| West = Sudurpashchim

| Northwest =

}}

{{Provinces of Nepal}}

{{Districts of Nepal}}

{{Nepal topics}}

{{Authority control}}

Lumbini Pradesh

Category:2015 establishments in Nepal

Category:Provinces of Nepal

Category:States and territories established in 2015