Buddha was born in Lumbini. Lumbini is a small town located in present-day Nepal, near the border with India. It is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists around the world. Let's explore the details of Buddha's birthplace and why Lumbini is significant in Buddhist history.

1. The Birth of Buddha:
- Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Buddha, was born in Lumbini around the 6th century BCE.
- He was born as a prince in the Shakya kingdom, which was situated in the northern part of ancient India.
- His mother, Queen Maya, gave birth to him while she was on her way to her maternal home in Devadaha. According to legend, she stopped in Lumbini and gave birth in a garden under a Sal tree.

2. Significance of Lumbini:
- Lumbini is considered the birthplace of Buddha and is one of the four main pilgrimage sites related to his life. The other three are Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar.
- It is believed that Buddha took his first seven steps and delivered his first sermon in Lumbini.
- The site of Buddha's birth was lost for many centuries until it was rediscovered in 1896 by a German archaeologist, Dr. Alois Anton Fuhrer.
- Today, Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world.

3. The Lumbini Development Project:
- In recent years, the government of Nepal, along with international organizations and Buddhist communities, has undertaken the Lumbini Development Project.
- The project aims to preserve and develop the birthplace of Buddha as a major pilgrimage site and a center for Buddhist study and research.
- The project includes the construction of monasteries, meditation centers, museums, and other facilities to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
- The Lumbini Master Plan envisions Lumbini as a place of peace, harmony, and spiritual enlightenment.

In conclusion, Buddha was born in Lumbini, a small town in present-day Nepal. Lumbini holds immense significance in Buddhist history as the birthplace of Buddha and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists worldwide. Efforts are being made to preserve and develop Lumbini as a center for Buddhist study and research, promoting peace and spiritual enlightenment.