After a tense week marked by Gen Z protests demanding political reforms, Nepal’s spiritual heartland, Lumbini, is witnessing a gradual revival.

The birthplace of Lord Buddha is gradually returning to normalcy as tourists, both domestic and foreign, have started visiting the historical site.

The Maya Devi Temple—the centerpiece of this UNESCO World Heritage Site—has once again begun echoing with prayers, chants, and the footsteps of pilgrims and tourists.

According to officials at the Lumbini Development Trust, tourist numbers have climbed steadily since Saturday when the situation began to stabilise following the announcement of an interim government.

On Friday, only a trickle of foreign visitors had ventured into the sacred complex. But by Saturday, over a hundred domestic and international tourists visited the Maya Devi Temple. The number rose to around 150 on Sunday.

“On Monday alone, we welcomed 273 pilgrims from Sri Lanka,” Rajan Basnet, information officer at the trust, told the Post. “The numbers show that foreign tourist arrivals are now picking up pace.”

Figures from the weekend underline the upward trend: 211 Nepali visitors, 244 Indians, 307 pilgrims from other SAARC nations, and 48 tourists from countries beyond South Asia visited the temple.

Monks and local tourism entrepreneurs say the end of the protests and improved security conditions have sent “a positive message” to the world.

“After the Gen Z protests ended and the interim government was formed, there is a sense of calm,” said Siri Bajir, a senior monk in Lumbini. “With the tourist season about to begin, we expect many more visitors. People come here seeking peace, and that is what we can now offer again.”

While Nepali pilgrims have been praying for the country’s peace and prosperity, foreign visitors say they are also wishing for global stability and spiritual merit during their meditative sojourns.

The Maya Devi Temple complex, free from dust and noise after days of unrest, has regained its tranquil charm.

“I meditated here for an hour and felt an incredible sense of peace,” said Jiao Mei, a visitor from Beijing, China. “It felt like years of stress just melted away.”

Others echoed her sentiment. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a pilgrim from Vietnam who had been traveling for a week, said praying at the birthplace of the Buddha brought her inner joy and spiritual fulfillment. “Stepping on this sacred soil feels like a blessing,” she said.

With clear skies, gentle breezes, and the temple’s serene ambiance restored, visitors say Lumbini has rarely looked beautiful.

As Nepal’s most visited tourist destination, Lumbini is a vital economic and cultural hub. The week-long protests had raised concerns among local businesses dependent on tourism. Now, as hotels report fresh bookings and guides return to work, optimism is spreading.

“Peaceful surroundings lift everyone’s spirits—pilgrims, tourists, even locals,” said monk Siri Bajir. “When Lumbini is calm, the whole world takes notice.”