Paharpur
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See Paharpur, Gaya for Paharpur in Gaya District, Bihar, India.
Paharpur is a ruined city in Bangladesh which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. This important archaeological site is situated in Paharpur village under Naogaon district. The city was inhabited during the Pala dynasty by Mahayana Buddhists and served as an important intellectual and cultural center. Paharpur Vihara is the greatest Buddhist Vihara in the sub-continent. It was built by king Dharmapala of pala dynasty in the 8th century. The site remains important because of its Buddhist architecture which influenced building patterns throughout South Asia.
The site houses the architectural remains of a vast Buddhist monastery, Somapura Mahavihara, covering 27 acres. It was an important intellectual centre for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus alike. The outside walls with ornamental terracotta palques still display the influence of these three religions.
The quadrangular structure consists of 177 cells and a traditional Buddhist stupa in the center. The rooms were used by the monks for accomodation and meditaion. In addition to the the large number of stupas and shrines of various sizes and shapes, terracotta plaques, stone sculptures, inscriptions, coins, ceramics etc. have been discovered.
[edit] Gallery
 Paharpur |
 Left side of Central Shrine |
 Central Shrine |
 Right side of Central Shrine |
 Paharpur |
 Paharpur |
 Paharpur |
 Paharpur |
 Main gate |
 Outside of Main gate |
 Top of Central Shrine |
 Bottom of Central Shrine |
 Inside a Cell |
