Paharpur Mahavihara Buddhist or somapura somapura monastery or an ancient Buddhist monastery, now in ruins. The second Pala king Dharmapala Shri Dev (781821) at the end of the eighth or ninth century was the century of Bihar. In 1879, this massive structure was discovered by Sir Alexander Cunningham.

Image Source : Wikipedia Paharpur Mahavihara Buddhist or somapura somapura monastery or an ancient Buddhist monastery, now in ruins. Towards the end of the eighth century or the second king Pala, Mr. dharmapaladeba were made in the ninth century convent.

Paharapurake can be called the world's largest monasteries. India can be compared with the size of Nalanda. This is the famous 300-year-old Buddhist religious education center. Just across the subcontinent from not only China, Tibet, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Malaysia, Indonesia and the country's Buddhists come here to acquire spiritual knowledge. Chancellor of the tenth century AD in Bihar were srijnan Atish Dipankar.

It provides recognition of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1985.

Location and Size

Pundranagara Pundravardhana capital (current Mahasthan) and other city Kotivarsiya (current Bangarh) located near the middle of the Somapura Mahavihara. The ruins of the district in the country is located in the village of Paharpur in Naogaon district on badalgachhi. On the other hand jamalganj Joypurhat district, just 5 kilometers from the railway station to the west of the distance. The geographical position of 5 ° 0'north of 5 ° 15' north latitude and 88 ° 50' east longitudes 89 ° 10' of the east. The village is about 0.10 square kilometers (10 hectares) is located in this antiquities throughout the region. The sign archaeological rectangle-shaped ground plan. It is located in the flood plains of the north, Plaistosina the parent generation in low areas. Reddish soil due to the presence of iron in the ground substance. However, most of the soil at the bottom of the sediments are covered. At about 30.30 meters from the surrounding plains as paharasadrsa structures have survived. The local people called the milkman used to mount the pyre; Since then the name has been paharapura, although somapura Bihar's actual name.

Background discovery

After the arrival of the Indian subcontinent, the British began to run in all the survey work. Buchanan Hamilton survey was conducted in eastern India; From 1807 to 1812 AD, who visited at Paharpur. This was the first archaeological inspection at Paharpur. He visited the site oyestamyakata. They returned home with a description of their experiences and expressed newspapers. Meanwhile, sources in 1879 AD by Alexander Cunningham visited this historic place. After the visit, he showed interest in the land to large-scale mining. But the owner of the land prevented baliharera then landed on him. So a little part of the promenade and a small part of the top portion of the central mound excavated antiquities continue to engage in work to escape. During the excavation of the mound was born around the piece to a square tower, which was two feet in length. Finally, under the law of the place in 1919 AD, 1904 AD, archaeological artifacts is declared as protected.

History and Background

Pundravardhana tsam came in the middle of the 7th century Huen, but there is no mention of the details and the somapurera Bihar. Gopal religion son Paul (781 - 822 AD) ascended the throne and ruled for a long time beyond the state of Bihar Bengali Pakistan - Gandhara extended the western border. And he was a very devout Buddhist emperor Dharmapala founded Vikramashila and somapura Bihar. According to another, the famous Tibetan history, "Zhang paga Psalm zone" Dharmapala, son of the author of the highly visibly Devapala (810850) built a convent and a high temple, mentioned by the Somapure. Somapura monastery monks at Nalanda, Bodh Gaya Buddhist pilgrimage site, and a variety of Indian gave money and treasures are to be referred to the various inscriptions, The 10th - 11th century is an indication of the prosperous state. Until the 9th century, under the patronage of the Pala kings in Bihar somapura agrapura (Rajshahi agradiguna), usmapura, gotapura, etapura and lumbering (Rajshahi jagadala) is mentioned in Bihar. Gujarat is the first meal of the late 9th century king Mahendra Pal, Pala Empire was particularly damaged. After the end of the 10th century, King Mohipala Pala dynasty (995 - 1043) dynasty was restored and repaired somapura Bihar. But nayapalera Mohipala and his son after the death of the Pala dynasty began to decline again. Corn central cediraja this opportunity, The name of a local feudal lord Kaibarta colaraja Rajendra and dibbo Barind after the attack. Paharpur to mention the destruction of temples and monasteries at Nalanda in the attack. Pala dynasty of the 11th century and restored hrtarajya Rampal. Deccan century Carnatic 1 captured from the Senas Bengali. He loses rajadera royal patronage during the somapura. The last somapurera began to decline. At the beginning of the 13th century ikhatiyarauddina Muhammad - bin - Bengal Bakhtiyar Khilji invaded and occupied a substantial part of the northern region. Perhaps this is due to the attitude of the Muslim rulers murtibirodhi the Buddhist monasteries and temples were destroyed completely.

Archaeological excavation

Paharpur archaeological khananakaryake can be divided into two groups. First, the sbadhinatapurbakalina at the British era, and secondly, the post-independence period in the eighties. In 1879, Cunningham took the initiative. The top portion of the central mound against Balihar mansion, but the excavation was to stop him. Fibred to grow around the dredging of about 7 m high, was discovered in a room. Of the University of Calcutta in 1923 after a long, varendra Research Council and the joint efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India and landed Dighapatia Sharat Kumar Roy arthanukulye family members were re-excavated. This year, under the leadership of the historical diarabhandarakarera excavated the site in the south-western part of the north-south-paced and complex part of a row of rooms are available. Banerjee Rakhaldas main staircase in the north central mound excavated in 192526, Pathasaha terracotta plaques decorated the walls and around the north side of the house Mandapa or discovered. As a result, for the first time at the monastery bhumiparikalpana and can provide insight into deyalacitrana. Bihar 193132 jisicandra in 1930-31 and the southwestern corner of the courtyard adjacent to the excavation. Kashinath Dixit in 1933-34 under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India excavated again. The remaining part of the monastery and the temple and temple ruins they found a Satyapirer bhitaya stupasaha set. After World War II Rafique Mughal deep excavation was conducted in some cells of the arm. Nearby the monastery adjacent to the southwestern corner of the courtyard was excavated. Kashinath Dixit in 1933-34 under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India excavated again. The remaining part of the monastery and the temple and temple ruins they found a Satyapirer bhitaya stupasaha set. After World War II Rafique Mughal deep excavation was conducted in some cells of the arm. Nearby the monastery adjacent to the southwestern corner of the courtyard was excavated. Kashinath Dixit in 1933-34 under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India excavated again. The remaining part of the monastery and the temple and temple ruins they found a Satyapirer bhitaya stupasaha set. After World War II Rafique Mughal deep excavation was conducted in some cells of the arm.

In 1981-83 the Department of Archeology Bangladesh independence later, "Dikshit earlier discovery of new cells and to obtain information about the signs haoyara ensure that the second phase of excavations began. Bihar in 1987-89 were re-excavated soil piled up on the steps to remove unnecessary rubbish, and the excavation of drainage system to ensure the orderly, that is to remove water logging and salinity decreases of Bihar.

Real architectural monuments

##in Bihar

Catuskonakara Buddhist monastery land-planning. North and south, east and west strength and the strength of each 273.7 m 274.15 m. There was broad sides of the border walls. The interior of the small room was lined up along the walls. The north arm of the arm 45 and the other three sides of the room 44. Three floors of the rooms have been discovered. Each floor is spread out over the thick brick suraki were made with highly durable. The latest on the floor during the 9 rooms of different sizes were built. This may be assumed that, in the first period, but subsequently used for all kaksai abasakaksa monks prarthanakakse Some rooms were converted.

Each of the rooms have doors. The inner side of the doors is wide but thin on the outside. Some rooms are available niche. Several rooms on the floor of the niche products can be found in everyday use. 426 m in length and 4.11 m width of the inner rooms. The rear wall of the boundary walls of the cell walls of 4.87 m and 244 m wide at the front. .5 m in front of the rooms. Has drawn wide corridor. Each arm of the stairs to the inner courtyard.

Along the north side of the main entrance in the middle. The pillars of the outer and the inner bearing on the side of the hall and there is a small hole. The cubbyholes were used for various purposes. The main entrance and the north-east corner middle was a small entrance. From here the stairs to enter the inner courtyard was used to open it exists today. North, south and west of the stairs, there was a similar arm. On the west side of the stairs, only to have them sign. In front of the entrance side until 1984, there was a pond. According to information obtained during the first phase of construction, the dredging of the 1984-85 period, in the meantime, part of the pond was excavated, and the stairs were destroyed. Subsequently, the pond is filled.

Central Temple

The monastery is in the middle of the courtyard of the temple ruins. Now it's 1 m high and 30 m high, but at least it was the main temple. The criss-cross the land-planning step up three declining. Each krusabahura LW 108.3 m and 95. 45 m. Add a few extra wall diagonally between Kush. Without the plan, the center of the doors and windows have a hollow rectangular compartment. The chamber extends the slope. In fact, the vast empty cell in the center of the built structure. Worship places around the room the second phase of the four rooms have been constructed. As a result, the temple has become cruciform. There are passages parallel to the plan of the temple, surrounded by a wall. Similarly, the second phase of the first phase of the road around the walls in four rooms around the characteristics of the cross-linking has been kept intact and parallel passages have been constructed. The first phase of the baseline parallel to the east, To the west and south walls were made. Madhyabartisthale the north staircase. Later, on the stairs, destroying some new structures were built.

The central hollow cells have been discovered in the floor of a brick-kick. The floor around the room and outside the room Mandapa abastathita approximately the same plane. But no way to go around the room or rooms in the center there before the door was closed later that has not found any evidence. There is nothing to keep the statue at the altar or kulungi. So the bar is supposed to swell the high walls of the temple were an instrument for strengthening the construction. Perhaps the statues were placed around the rooms. The top of the roof of the house and therefore there is no sign that things can not be said about the obvious.

But each step of the hollow walls bare walls of the room to grow outside cornices, ornamental bricks and decorated with rows of terracotta plaques. Cornice ends of the cruciform plan, the intersection of the extended areas have drainage canal system. Built of stone in the shape of the mouth of a lion roaring away nalagulora created. There are 63 overseas basement wall niche. Each of which was a stone sculpture.

Open courtyard

Some of the buildings found in the ruins of the monastery, between the more open arena. Several of these features of the building could not be identified. Courtyard, dining room and kitchen is located in the south-east. 46 m long brick paved between these two setups, and to have a sewer there is a row of three wells. There are also heaps of offerings, administrative buildings, including the central shrine. Offer heaps located in the southeast corner of the star-shaped pile 16. The piles are installed between a platform adjacent to the low point of a well seasoned. Other offerings scattered heaps created. Imaratagulo northeast premises have been used for administrative and other purposes.
Bath and toilet

This structure is located outside the monastery. 7 km south of the southern wall of the monastery to be built on a stage were several bathrooms and toilets. Stage 3 m long from east to west and 823 m north-south. Wide. Bihar to 102 the number of rooms connected by a high kick. This road runs parallel to the walls of the convent .5 m wide and 192 m. Vault has a high arch. Perhaps outside the monastery to move freely in and around the drainage system had to be such.

The Ghat

Bihar, about 49 km south of the southeast corner of the ghat is located about 3.5 m wide. Each of the side walls 1.5 m wide. The wharf was built by vertically placed bricks and stones were the highest and lowest rung biratakara. About 1 m from the surface of the wharf slopes. Went down. On the water was thick sand layer. This is estimated, especially in the gorge of the river water was involved.

Temple Gandheshvari

1 m from the ghat. There is a building facing east-west, which is called locally Gandhesvari temple. The length of 6.7 m. And a width of 3.5 m .. Padmasaha front wall of bricks of different types of full-blown flower design and the material used gamthunite It seems that the building was built the country's first Muslim era. It has a rectangular hall. Available in the hallway between the octagonal base of a column. 1.4 m on the outside of a wall in the West grow. There is a square room with arm worship. Moreover, the four niches in the hallway there is a terrace in front of the statue achemandirera set up the system. Placed vertically on the floor was built of brick and architectural patterns differ from other threads in Paharpur.

By popular somapura Bihar

Somapura of Bihar has a number of video documentary, Channel 016 on Eid-ul-ayahaya wrote and directed a telefilm Rajib Hassan's 'Moon City' campaign, which is completely surrounded by stories and depictions somapura Bihar.
Paharpur adjacent to the Museum of the statue.

• Sandstone Chamunda
• Red stone standing Shitla images
• Black rocks Vishnu fragment
• Black stone standing Ganesh
• Sandstone celebrity image
• Dubalhati queen oil
• Haragaurira damaged statue of
• A black rock Lakshmi Narayan
• A broken statue of the Black Stone,
• Uma image of
• Andstone image of Gauri
• Andstone Vishnu th Rti
• Nandi statue
• Black stone image of Vishnu
• Surya
• Krishna Shiva rock... etc.