Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, Nepal in 563 BCE. He was born into a royal family, as the son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya. His birth name was Siddhartha Gautama, and he was known to be a prince destined for greatness.

According to Buddhist scriptures, Queen Maya had a dream in which she saw a white elephant entering her womb, which was interpreted as a sign of a holy and auspicious birth. She gave birth to Siddhartha under a sal tree in the garden of Lumbini, and it is said that he took seven steps and declared, "I am chief of the world, Eldest am I in the world, Foremost am I in the world. This is the last birth. There is now no more coming to be." This was seen as a prophecy of his future enlightenment and teachings.

Siddhartha's childhood was filled with luxury and comfort, shielded from the harsh realities of the world. However, at the age of 29, he ventured out of the palace and was exposed to the suffering and impermanence of life. This experience deeply impacted him, and he left his royal life behind to seek the truth and meaning of existence.

For six years, Siddhartha practiced asceticism and extreme self-denial, hoping to find enlightenment through these practices. However, he realized that this was not the path to enlightenment and instead turned to meditation and mindfulness. In 528 BCE, at the age of 35, Siddhartha attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. From then on, he was known as Gautama Buddha, which means "Awakened One."

After his enlightenment, Gautama Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling and teaching his insights and philosophy to others. He founded the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which are the core principles of Buddhism. He also established a community of monks and nuns, known as the Sangha, who followed his teachings and spread them throughout Asia.

Gautama Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists. His teachings have had a profound impact on millions of people around the world and continue to guide and inspire individuals on their spiritual journeys.

In conclusion, Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal in 563 BCE and spent his life teaching and spreading his teachings of compassion, mindfulness, and enlightenment. His birthplace and teachings continue to be revered and celebrated by Buddhists worldwide.