Paharpur Buddhist Vihara travel guide

At a glance

Ancient name

Somapura Mahavihara

Built by

Pala king Dharmapala (781–821)

Area

About 27 acres; a 281 × 281 m square

Distinction

UNESCO World Heritage (1985)

History and details

Dharmapala, the second king of the Pala dynasty, built this great monastery in the late 8th century. For about 300 years it was an international centre of Buddhism and learning; monks came from China, Tibet and Myanmar to study. It is mentioned in Tibetan texts, and the famous scholar Atisha Dipankara is thought to have spent time here.

The four sides of the square monastery hold 177 monks' cells, and in the middle is a cross-shaped central temple about 21 m high, whose architecture is thought to have later influenced temples in Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia. The temple walls carry about 2,000 terracotta plaques and 63 stone sculptures — showing animals, birds, folk life and gods.

After the 12th century the monastery was abandoned and buried under earth, looking like a hill (pahar) — hence the name Paharpur. Buchanan Hamilton first visited it in 1807–12; excavations followed in stages from 1923. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Things to do

• Look for terracotta plaques around the central temple
• Walk along the rows of monks' cells
• See excavated finds in the Paharpur museum
• Visit nearby Satyapirer Bhita

How to get to Paharpur Buddhist Vihara

In Badalgachhi upazila; by CNG from Joypurhat or Naogaon.

Naogaon is about 250 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 5–6 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Naogaon buses from Gabtoli/Mohakhali (Hanif, Shyamoli, SR), fare ৳600–750.
• 🚆 By train: Jamalganj station is closest for Paharpur.

Where to stay

• Parjatan rest house at Paharpur (limited)
• Hotels in Joypurhat or Naogaon town

What to eat

Naogaon's para sandesh, mangoes

Good to know

• Closed Sunday, half day Monday
• Look for animals, birds and everyday life in the terracotta plaques on the walls
• See Satyapirer Bhita and the museum too

More to see nearby

• Satyapirer Bhita (0.5 km)
• Jagaddala Vihara (25 km)
• Halud Vihara (15 km)
• Joypurhat (15 km)

More places to visit in Naogaon district

• Kusumba Mosque — A black-stone mosque from 1558; it appears on the five-taka note.
• Dibar Dighi — A memorial pillar of the 11th-century Kaibarta revolt in the middle of a pond.
• Patisar Kuthibari — Rabindranath Tagore's estate office on the bank of the Nagar River.
• Altadighi National Park — A huge pond ringed by sal forest, near the Indian border.

Location on the map