Somapura Mahavihara, Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur, Bangladesh

Ruins of the stupa of Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, Bangladesh


The ruins of Somapura Mahavihara, at Paharpur, Bangladesh, is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist viharas in the Indian subcontinent. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 9th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, France, on 2-6 December, 1985.

Somapura Mahavihara is celebrated for its harmonious lines along with a profusion of carved decorations. The vihara is said to have influence Buddhist architecture as the religion spread to as far as Cambodia. It is one of the five great mahaviharas, or monasteries, which were established in ancient Bengal during the Pala period. These five monasteries existed together, forming a system of coordination among themselves.

Excavations at Somapura Mahavihara show that it was built by the second Pala king, Dharmapala, around 781-821 AD. This comes from clay seals with inscriptions that were discovered.

Terraces of Somapura Mahavihara


Brickwork of Somapura Mahavihara

What to See in Ruins of Somapura Mahavihara, Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur

Somapura Mahavihara has a square plan consisting of 177 cells, with a stupa at the centre. The cells are for the use of monks in meditation. Together, it forms a Buddhist monastery complex that covers 27 acres. It was an important centre of learning for the Dharmic Traditions such as Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.

In terms of architecture, Somapura Mahavihara resembles more to the temples in Myanmar, Java and Cambodia, than to the Indian temples in India. But it is older than all of them, having been built between 781 and 821 AD. Among the features that have been observed to bear similarities include the cruciform basement, the terraced structure with inset chambers, and the pyramid form. From studying its architecture, one can see a relationship between India and Southeast Asia. What is intriquing is that this is the only temple in the Indian subcontinent with a similar to those in Southeast Asia, where the style has become a standard.

Terracotta relief at Somapura Mahavihara

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 25 2 E 88 59
Inscription Year: 1985
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: I, II, VI

Location

Somapura Mahavihara is located in the town of Paharpur, in the district of Naogaon in the northwestern part of Bangladesh.

Getting there

As at time of writing, I have not found a reliable travel agency to arrange a package there, so you may have to enquire upon arrival in Dhaka.

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