Paharpur
Bangladesh · Rajshahi · 20 m
Description
Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur was the largest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalaya, founded by the Pala king Dharmapala around the end of the eighth century and lived in for four hundred years. UNESCO listed it in 1985. What is exposed is a square of a hundred and seventy-seven monks' cells around a courtyard, with a cruciform temple rising in terraces at the centre, and the brick walls carry terracotta plaques of animals and dancers. The plan influenced monasteries as far away as Java and Myanmar. The site museum holds the sculpture. Excavation began in the 1920s and has exposed only part of the enclosure.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Central cruciform temple
- Square of monks' cells
- Terracotta plaques on the brick walls
- Paharpur site museum
- Satyapir Bhita votive stupas
- Climb up the temple terraces
- Bathing ghat and the monastery tank
- Paddy fields around the walls
- Kusumba Mosque of black basalt(Day trip)