Somapura Mahavihara
Published: 12:00 AM, 12 November 2016
Somapura Mahavihara The most remarkable archaeological site
Somapura Mahavihara (also known as Paharpur Bihar or Paharpur Buddha Bihar) is situated in Paharpur, Badalgachhi Upazila, Naogaon District, Bangladesh. Paharpur is its modern name and Somapura is the ancient name. It is among the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the most important archeological sites in the country. UNESCO proclaimed it as World Heritage Site in 1985.
The architecture of the Bihara was unusual. According to one scholar, the complex was dominated by a temple, which was not typical, and further, the temple had "none of the characteristic features of Indian temple architecture, but is strongly reminiscent of Buddhist temples of Burma, Java and Cambodia, reproducing the cruciform basement, terraced structure with inset chambers and gradually dwindling pyramid.
There were about 177 rooms and a traditional Buddhist stupa (a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation) in the center in the Monastery. The rooms were used by the monks for accommodation and meditation. There were also wide entrance, numerous mass entertainments, small temple and pool. The length of the temple is 357 feet in from north to south and 314 feet in width from east to west. The convent is located in the middle. For its interesting architectural and historical importance, the Paharpur Buddhist Bihara heritage is recognized as one of the oldest in the world today.
The Bihar is about 72 feet high from the ground. Paharapur is noted as a mini version of the ancient Nalanda University. About sixty three stone plate statues can be seen in the Paharpur. It covers about 27acres of land. It was an important intellectual centre for Dharmic Traditions such as Buddhists (Buddha Dharma), Jains (Jaina Dharma) and Hindus (Sanatana Dharma) alike. The outside walls with ornamental terracotta palques still display the influence of these three religions.
In the seventh century (770-810 AD), Buddhist Pala royal dynasty was established. The second and the third king of the Pala dynasty Dharmapala and his son Devapala founded the great empire Bangla, Bihar to Kannauj in Christian eighth and ninth centuries. In the advances era of Buddhist religion, Paharpur Buddhist monasteries and temples developed in this country through the patronage of Buddhist rulers. With the passage of time, the monastery ruins but it still stands turn out to be the beautiful convent of Asia's greatest Buddhist Vihara. There are a museum, a rest house and several administrative buildings build by the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh. At present, it is a major tourist attraction and many domestic and foreign tourists visit it every year.
Sompur Bihar at Paharpur is about 270 km far from Dhaka by road. It will take about 6 hours to reach Paharpur by bus or private from Dhaka. If one starts from Dhaka, the route shall be Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge - Bogra - Joypurhat and finally Paharpur. The highway communication is very smooth and easy to visit Paharpur. One can visit by both bus and train the great Paharpur Bihar from Dhaka.
The architecture of the Bihara was unusual. According to one scholar, the complex was dominated by a temple, which was not typical, and further, the temple had "none of the characteristic features of Indian temple architecture, but is strongly reminiscent of Buddhist temples of Burma, Java and Cambodia, reproducing the cruciform basement, terraced structure with inset chambers and gradually dwindling pyramid.
There were about 177 rooms and a traditional Buddhist stupa (a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation) in the center in the Monastery. The rooms were used by the monks for accommodation and meditation. There were also wide entrance, numerous mass entertainments, small temple and pool. The length of the temple is 357 feet in from north to south and 314 feet in width from east to west. The convent is located in the middle. For its interesting architectural and historical importance, the Paharpur Buddhist Bihara heritage is recognized as one of the oldest in the world today.
The Bihar is about 72 feet high from the ground. Paharapur is noted as a mini version of the ancient Nalanda University. About sixty three stone plate statues can be seen in the Paharpur. It covers about 27acres of land. It was an important intellectual centre for Dharmic Traditions such as Buddhists (Buddha Dharma), Jains (Jaina Dharma) and Hindus (Sanatana Dharma) alike. The outside walls with ornamental terracotta palques still display the influence of these three religions.
In the seventh century (770-810 AD), Buddhist Pala royal dynasty was established. The second and the third king of the Pala dynasty Dharmapala and his son Devapala founded the great empire Bangla, Bihar to Kannauj in Christian eighth and ninth centuries. In the advances era of Buddhist religion, Paharpur Buddhist monasteries and temples developed in this country through the patronage of Buddhist rulers. With the passage of time, the monastery ruins but it still stands turn out to be the beautiful convent of Asia's greatest Buddhist Vihara. There are a museum, a rest house and several administrative buildings build by the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh. At present, it is a major tourist attraction and many domestic and foreign tourists visit it every year.
