Paharpur Buddha Vihar or Sompur Vihar

Paharpur Buddhist Vihar or Sompur Vihar: Sompur Vihar or Paharpur Buddhist Vihar is the most glorious sightseeing place of Badalgachi upazila i.e. Naogaon district. Paharpur Buddhist Vihara is located in Paharpur village under present Paharpur Union Parishad. The modern name of Paharpur is the ancient name of Sompur. The Buddhist religious Pala dynasty was established in Bangladesh in the seventh century (770-810 AD). In the 8th and 9th centuries AD, the second and third kings of the Pala dynasty, Dharmapala and his son Devapala, established vast empires extending to Bengal, Bihar and Kanauj. This Paharpur Vihar and temple was built in Bangladesh under their patronage during the era of extreme excellence of Buddhism. Due to historical and geographical reasons, this Mahavihara has become a ruin, but even today this magnificent temple stands proudly as the greatest Buddhist temple in Asia.

Paharpur Buddhist Vihara had 177 rooms for Buddhist monks. Paharpur Buddha Vihara is located on a total land of 70.31 acres. Currently Bangladesh Archeology Department has constructed a museum, a rest house and some administrative buildings here. As a result of excavations till 1934 AD, the Department of Archeology discovered the surrounding rooms and the entire remains of Satyapir's house and temple on the east side of this Vihar. In its center is the main Vihar and around it 198 habitable rooms, wide entrances, numerous entertainment stalls, small temples, Pushkarini are located. The temple measures 357 feet in length from north to south and 314 feet from east to west. The main temple is located in the middle of it. Sandhyavarti was the daughter of the king here. Paharpur Buddha Vihara is today recognized as one of the oldest cultural heritage sites in the world due to its impressive architectural size and historical importance. It was recently listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

63 idols can be seen in the stone pit of Paharpur. Many idols of animals are found in the temple grounds. The height of the Vihar is about 72 feet from the main land. Paharpur can be described as a mini version of ancient Nalanda University. Many local and foreign tourists and ordinary people gather here every year.

Location

Located in Badalgachi Upazila of Naogaon District

How to go

Historical Paharpur can be reached by direct bus from Naogaon Baludanga bus terminal | Approximate distance 32 km Bus fare- 30-40 taka