Bangladesh Buddhist Student Association of Thailand: Paharpur,Buddhist Monastery in Rajshahi

Venerable Mangala Priya Bhikkhu

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

It is treated as the Largest Buddhist Seat of Learning of South Asia. It is a small village, 5 km west of Jamalganj in the greater Rajshahi district, where the remains of the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas has been excavated.

This 7^th century AD archaeological find covers an area of approximately 11 hectare. The entire establishment, occupying a Quadrangular court, measures more than 300 meters and varies from 3.5 to 4.5 meters in height with an elaborate gateway complex on the north, there are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of the other three sides, with a total number of 177 rooms.

The architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken its name from a high mound, which looked like a Pahar or hillock. A site museum built recently houses a representative collection of objects recovered from the area. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the Varendra Research Museum at Rajshahi. The antiquities in the museum include terracotta plaques, images of different Buddhas, arahants and bodhisatvas, pottery, coin inscription, ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects included as world heritage site first in angladesh.

Somapura Mahavihara is among the best known Buddhist viharas in South Asia and is one of the most important archeological sites in the country. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Since then, a series of UNESCO missions has regularly visited the site and helped with the maintenance and preservation project.

The monastery is built as a quadrangle, measuring 281 meter on each side. All outer four wings contain 177 monastic cells. In the center of the open courtyard of the monastery is a shrine. Its remains are still 21 meter high and have three gradually diminishing terraces. The walls were built of burnt bricks; some ornamented with motif of flowers and seated Buddhas. There were also bands of terracotta plaques in rows all around the terraces.

The remains of the monastery is now in a peaceful environment and can be seen from afar. Almost all of the archeological terrain is covered by grass. The monasterial remains have been hidden under the same grass and stones for centuries, after the monks left in the 13th century. Locals thought it to be a hill, hence the name Paharpur (hill town). The monastery complex that was discovered behind the rubble had 177 monastic cells, a water pit, a kitchen, various stupas and in the centrally located main temple. The whole complex is bigger than most visitors anticipated and because of its location, there aren’t many visitors and it is not widely known. The whole area is well-cared for but some of the bricks badly need repair.

The excavation at Paharpur, and the finding of seals bearing the inscription Shri-Somapure-Shri-Dharmapaladeva-Mahavihariyarya-bhiksu-sangghasya, has identified the Somapura Mahavihara as built by the second Pala king Dharmapala (circa 781-821) of Pala Dynasty. Some clay seals from the ruins bear the inscription Shri-Somapure-Shri-Dharmapaladeva-Mahavihariyarya-bhiksu-sangghasya. Tibetan sources, including Tibetan translations of Dharmakayavidhi and Madhyamaka Ratnapradipa, Taranatha’s history and Pag-Sam-Jon-Zang, mention that Dharmapala’s successor Devapala (circa 810-850) built it after his conquest of Varendra. The Paharpur pillar inscription bears the mention of 5th regional year of Devapala’s successor Mahendrapala (circa 850-854) along with the name of Bhiksu Ajayagarbha. Taranatha’s Pag Sam Jon Zang records that the monastery was repaired and renovated during the reign of Mahipala (circa 995-1043 AD). Following pictures are shot around the monastery.

Somapuri Mahavihara, The largest monestary south of the Himalayas, Built by Pala Emperor Dharmapala(770-810AD)

General Layout Of The "Somapura Mahavihara": Architectural expeditions have revealed the architectural remains of a vast Buddhist monastery, the ‘Somapura Mahavihara’, measuring 274.15m N-S and 273.70m E-W. This gigantic establishment with surrounding 177 monastic cells, gateways, votive stupas, minor chapels, tank and a multitude of other structures for the convenience of the inmates, is dominated by a central shrine, conspicuous by its lofty height and architectural peculiarities. It is distinguished by its cruciform shape with angles of projection between the arms, its three raised terraces and complicated scheme of decoration of walls with carved brick cornices, friezes of terracotta plaques and stone reliefs.

Although subsequently rebuilt the site was abandoned by the 13th century through a combination of declining influence and the Islamic invasion from the east.

General Layout Of The "Somapura Mahavihara"

Terracotta Plaques On the Temple Walls

Evidence of the rise of ‘Mahayana Buddhism’ in Bengal from the 7th century onwards, ‘Somapura Mahavira’, or ‘the Great Monastery’, was a renowned intellectual centre until the 12th century. Its layout perfectly adapted to its religious function, this monastery-city represents a unique artistic achievement. With its simple, harmonious lines and its profusion of carved decoration, it influenced Buddhist architecture as far away as Cambodia. It is one of the three sites from Bangladesh which are included in the"UNESCO World Heritage List"