5. September - October 2010

HERITAGE
The Sacred Garden
The Sacred Garden area, surrounded by a
pond and a circular levee to protect against
inundation, restricts new constructions so that
its archaeological value may be preserved.
Besides the Ashokan Pillar, another most famous
monument is the Mayadevi temple. It has a stone
relief having the Nativity scene of the Buddha,
which is worshipped from the beginning of the
Christian era. This nativity scene of Buddha
was installed by the king Naga Malla of Western
Nepal, who ruled over one of the two states which
flourished from about 11th to 15th century
in the Karnali zone of Nepal. It is pointed out
by scholars that the temple of Mayadevi was
constructed over the foundation of more than
one earlier temple or stupa.
At present the Mayadevi temple is the heart
of all monuments of the holy site, bearing the
testimony of several phases of construction
over the centuries. It was reopened in 2003 on
the 2547th auspicious birth anniversary of Lord
Buddha and contains ruins of the earlier temple
structure that date back to the 3rd to the 7th
century B.C. However, this new construction
and its design have not been spared of world
criticism, brought about by the charge of it
having negative impact on the archaeological
remains, affecting the visual experience and
understanding(both historic and spiritual)
of such an important archaeological site 6 . In
this context, Prof. Dr. Jiba Raj Pokharel, the
chief architect of the new Mayadevi temple
and former Dean of IOE, Pulchowk Campus,
The new Mayadevi Temple, containing the ruins of
the earlier 3rd to the 7th century B.C. structure, was
reopened in 2003. This new construction however
invited world criticism that it’s design affected the visual
experience and understanding of such an important
archaeological site .
The entire development of the
Master plan is tied together by
the eternal flame and a central
link comprising of a walkway and
a canal, which establishes the
solitude and sanctity of the Sacred
Garden and offers pilgrims time and
space to prepare as they approach
the Sacred Garden. On either
sides of the axis are the monastic
enclaves, which are surrounded by
a green forest. The 3 X 1 mile strips
on both sides of the central strip
were designated Restricted Areas.
It was proposed that the concerned
authorities should adapt zoning
regulations for the additional 16 sq.
miles area to act as a buffer zone
that will assure the preservation of
agricultural environment. This area
would be developed for agricultural
purposes and would provide food
for local people and for the visitors,
thus helping to raise the standard of
living of the inhabitants.
says that he had tried to maintain the form,
texture and colour of the previous structure
constructed by Keshar Shamsher (the then
commanding officer for Lumbini). Moreover,
Dr. Jiba Raj reiterates that recommendation of
UNESCO regarding the need of paying attention
to the non-intrusiveness, reversibility, shelter,
visibility, focus, access, worship and authenticity
has been given consideration to the extent
possible in his design. Justifications for the
construction were made emphasizing the living
character of the site and religious sensitivity and
inappropriate conditions back then. He further
explains that the construction process of the
The marker stone (and the Nativity sculpture)
fixes the place of the Nativity of Buddha with
deftness and precision and provides answers
to the controversies regarding the birthplace of
Lord Buddha.
The Nativity sculpture inside
the Mayadevi temple depicts
Mayadevi with her right hand
holding on to a branch of a
sal-tree with a new born child
standing upright on a lotus
pedestal shedding an oval halo
around his head, while two
celestial figures pour water and
lotuses from vessels of heaven
as indicated by the delineation
of clouds.
www.spacesnepal.com 78
September-October 2010