Buddhism in Nepal started after the birth of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism himself. Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, Nepal at the Shakya Kingdom of Kapilbasthu as a Prince nearly around 500BC. He then left the palace in search of enlightenment. Gradually, after his enlightenment, Buddhism became a presiding religion in the northern areas of the country. Buddhist arts also started growing in mostly the central part of Nepal. Ethnic groups from .