Somapura Mahavihara (Paharpur)
সোমপুর মহাবিহার
A UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Pala dynasty in the 8th century. It is the largest Buddhist monastery ruin south of the Himalayas.
Somapura Mahavihara lies in Paharpur village, Naogaon district, about 70 km by road from Bogra. King Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty built it in the late 8th century. It was a major Buddhist scholarly centre rivalling Nalanda, and it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1985. The monastery is a square about 280 m on each side, with 177 monks' cells arranged around it. At its centre stands a cross-shaped, multi-tiered main temple about 21 m high. The base walls are set with about 2,000 terracotta plaques depicting the Buddha, Hindu deities, animals and village life, and they are believed to have influenced temple designs in Southeast Asia. The Paharpur Archaeological Museum on site displays stone carvings and terracotta works. Foreign visitors pay about 500 taka. The site is closed on Sundays and open only in the afternoon on Mondays. From Bogra, a hired car takes about 2 hours one way. You can also take a bus to Jamalganj and transfer by rickshaw.
Opening hours
Closed Sundays; open Monday afternoons. About 10:00–18:00 (winter 09:00–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Halud Vihara
- Jagaddala Mahavihara
- Vasu Vihara
- Bihar Dhap
- Jogir Bhaban
- Gokul Medh
- Mahasthangarh
- Mahasthan Archaeological Museum