Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, was born in Lumbini, which is located in present-day Nepal. This site is recognized as his birthplace by Buddhist tradition and historical evidence, including a pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE marking the location

. Lumbini is a significant pilgrimage site and is situated near the border between Nepal and India, in the Terai plains at the foot of the Himalayas

. According to tradition, Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha in the gardens of Lumbini while on her way to her parental home. The birth is said to have taken place under a sal tree, and immediately after birth, the infant took seven steps and declared his destiny to end the cycle of rebirth

. Thus, the Buddha's birthplace is firmly identified as Lumbini in southern Nepal.