The Manager Who Fell in Love With Buddha's Birthplace: Susobhan's Story
There are people who end up in a job. And there are people who arrive at a calling. Susobhan belongs firmly in the second group.
Early Life and Education in Kathmandu
Susobhan was born and raised in Kathmandu — Nepal's capital, a city of ancient temples, mountain views, and a hospitality industry that is, to put it gently, fiercely competitive.
After completing his college education, his parents made a significant investment: a hotel management diploma in Singapore — one of Asia's leading hospitality education hubs.
What He Gained in Singapore
The two-year programme gave Susobhan more than technical skills. It gave him:
- International perspective on service standards
- Exposure to diverse guest expectations across cultures
- A systematic approach to hotel operations
- The confidence to take on management responsibility from a young age
He returned to Nepal ready to put theory into practice.
From Kathmandu to Chitwan: Finding His Footing
Back in Nepal, Susobhan worked across several Kathmandu hospitality outlets before the pull of something different drew him south.
He joined the Rhino Residency Resort in Chitwan — one of Nepal's premier wildlife lodges, set at the edge of Chitwan National Park.
What Chitwan Taught Him
Working at a nature-based resort in Chitwan gave Susobhan an education that no classroom could provide:
- How guests interact differently when surrounded by wildlife and nature
- The specific rhythms and demands of eco-tourism
- The importance of local knowledge — guides, naturalists, community relationships
- Why travellers seeking spiritual or natural experiences need a different quality of service than business travellers
He excelled. Standards improved. Then, as life sometimes requires, personal commitments called him back to Kathmandu.
Why Lumbini Was Always the Destination
Not all career paths are accidental. Susobhan had always been drawn to Lumbini — specifically to the profound history carried in this small town in the Terai lowlands of Nepal.
"Lumbini was always the type of place Susobhan wanted to work and interact with guests, as he was fascinated with the lives of Buddha."
The questions that fascinated him:
- How did the teachings of one person, born in a garden in southern Nepal, reshape the spiritual lives of hundreds of millions across Asia?
- How did Buddhism travel — from the Terai lowlands to China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tibet?
- What can a contemporary traveller feel when they stand at the very site where it all began?
When a position opened at Lumbini Buddha Garden — a resort sitting metres from the Telar River, five minutes from the Maya Devi Temple — he joined without hesitation.
What Susobhan Does at LBG Today
Susobhan is the operational backbone of Lumbini Buddha Garden. If you stay at LBG, you will meet him.
His Responsibilities
| Area | What He Manages |
|---|---|
| Guest experience | Personally ensures requests are fulfilled and problems resolved |
| Staff coordination | Manages day-to-day operations across all departments |
| Tour & excursion arrangements | Your contact for birding tours, Lumbini Cultural Tours, temple visits |
| Communication | Liaison between guests and local knowledge networks |
| Quality standards | Maintains the calibre of service that generates repeat visits |
He is also, by all accounts, a formidable badminton player — though the resort makes no guarantees about his availability for a match during peak season.
What Guests Say
Guests consistently describe Susobhan as approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in their experience. He is not a manager who sits behind a desk — he is present, visible, and willing to help with anything from temple timings to taxi arrangements to the best spot to watch the sunset from the resort grounds.
FAQs About Visiting Lumbini Buddha Garden
What can I arrange through the resort manager during my stay? Susobhan and the management team can arrange: Lumbini Cultural Tours, Natural History Tours, birding excursions to Jagdishpur Reservoir, bicycle hire for exploring the sacred sites, temple transfers, and onward travel arrangements.
Is LBG suitable for solo travellers? Absolutely. The resort welcomes solo pilgrims, researchers, birdwatchers, and independent travellers. The staff ratio ensures personal attention even for guests travelling alone.
Can I visit the Maya Devi Temple from the resort? Yes — the resort is approximately 30 minutes' drive from the Lumbini Sacred Garden and Maya Devi Temple. Transfers can be arranged by the management team.
What languages does the LBG management team speak? The team communicates fluently in English and Nepali. Guests from non-English speaking countries are warmly welcomed and communication support can be arranged where needed.
Posted by LBG Management with consent from Susobhan · Originally published September 2018 · Updated 2025
