About the Book:
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is situated 22km west of Siddharthanagar, district headquater of Rupandehi district, in the western Terai region of Nepal. It is an important site from the Buddhist as well as Archaeological point of view. This region was associated with the Sakyas and Koliya at Kapilvastu and Ramagrama (Devadaha) respectively in ancient period. This book, a research study, funded by Tribhiwan University Research Division, is an attempt to put things in proper way. The book contains Sacred geography, history, Master Plan, art, architecture, pilgrims and pilgrimage, sacred performance, fair and festivals, scared specialists, conservation, preservation, tourism development and changes and modernization the life styles of Lumbini area. Second and third chapters throw light on sacred geography and history through Buddhist literature, Chinese account and art remains. In the fourth chapter details of Master Plan for the development of Lumbini, and its implementation as well as achievements are mentioned in proper way. Physical development and details of allotted plots are pointed out in brief. In the fifth chapter, the art remains, viz. stone sculptures, human and animals terracotta figurines, other terracotta objects, seals and sealing, coin, pottery, etc. are incorporated. The result of the analysis of terracotta figurines has been incorporated here, highlighting the origin, typology and stylistic evolution of the principal forms, their techniques and contexts. This helps us to place the changing art forms and style from the Mauryan to Pala- Sena periods in proper perspective. The sixth chapter contains the architecture of structural remain of ancient stupa, vihar, Mayadevi temple and monolithic Asokan pillar of Sacred Garden. Chapter seven throws light on the tradition of pilgrims and pilgrimage of the site. Daily and special performance is incorporated in eighth chapter. Fair, festivals, lifestyles of the monks and nuns are mentioned in nine and tenth chapter respectively. Infrastructures for the development of tourism, flow of tourists, changing lifestyles of the people and modernization through it has been mentioned in the text. It throws light on historical, archaeological, sociological, anthropological and progress of Master Plan. The book goes into a deep study of art remains, sacred performances, tourist movement and modernization which helps for planning, preservation and conservation to the authorities in future. Bibliography, appendices, glossary, index and photographs have been included to make the volume more authentic, informative and attractive.
About the Author:
Dr. Gitu Giri, M.A., B.Ed, B.L., Ph.D. born on 21, May 1955 at Maranthana Pyuthan, was educated mainly at Tribhuwan University, Nepal and received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from DDU Gorakhpur University rewarded Fellowship by University Grants Commission of Nepal in 2001. He was involved as Assistant Researcher in research project on the ‘Scared Complex of Ruru Kshetra’, sponsonered by UNESCO has completed ten research projects funded by Research Division, Research Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuwan University, University Grants Commission of Nepal and Lumbini International Research Institute, Lumbini. He was appointed as member of Central Subject Committee, Nepalese History, Culture & Archaeology Department, T.U. from 1997 to 2006. He has lectured at various Campuses of Tribhuwan University and at present is working as Lecturer and Chairmen at Bhairahawa Multiple Campus of Tribhuwan University, Bhairahawa, Lumbini, the birth- place of Lord Buddha. He is also an associated Editor of Journals and active member of civil society. His major interest lies in the study of different dimensions of Nepalese cultural, art, architecture and archaeology, especially wertern region of Nepal. |
