Paharpur (Somapura Mahavihara)
সোমপুর মহাবিহার · Somapura Mahavihara · Paharpur Buddhist Vihara
Pala Buddhist 8th–12th c CE·Pala Buddhist Mahayana–Vajrayana·🇧🇩 Rajshahi Division, Naogaon District, Badalgachhi Upazila, Paharpur village on Barind tract, Bangladesh
About
About Paharpur (Somapura Mahavihara)
Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur — largest single Buddhist vihara south of Himalaya (27-acre cruciform complex) built c.781–820 CE by Dharmapala Pala on Barind alluvium. Excavated 1923–34 by D.R. Bhandarkar revealed 21-m central temple, 177 cells, ~2800 terracotta plaques, UNESCO 1985.
Why it mattersLargest Buddhist vihara — Pala university type-site
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Barind siting reason?
Theories
- 01Model for Javanese Candis
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.781–820 CE Dharmapala
- Period
- Pala Buddhist 8th–12th c CE
- Culture
- Pala Buddhist Mahayana–Vajrayana
- Builders
- Pala artisans
- Purpose
- Mahavihara university linking Nalanda–Vikramashila
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.781–820 CE
Dharmapala foundation
9th–11th c
Atisha visits
1923–34
ASI excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
25.0311° N · 88.9769° E · 28 m · 3 mapped features
Central Cruciform Temple
temple21-m brick temple at centre
25.0321° N · 88.9761° ENorthwestern Monastic Cell Cluster
cell block177-cell ring NW quadrant
25.0296° N · 88.9780° ESouthern Gateway and Votive Stupa Court
gatewayMain entrance with 70+ votive stupas
25.0331° N · 88.9755° E