Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Buddhist Monastery at Moheshkhali
[post_id] => 7128
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/buddhist-monastery-at-moheshkhali/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Buddhist-Monastery-at-Moheshkhali-Island1-300x240.jpg
[post_content] =>
Apart from the Natural beauties from the island, the "Buddhist Monastery"(Buddha Bihar) is another tourist spot/attraction in Moheshkhali Island. This monastery is near to the dockyard of the island. The exact location of the monastery is at "Boro Rakhaine Para" at "Gorokghata".
Everyday lots of people used to come at this island to visit the monastery. There are several buildings inside the monastery premises. Also inside the boundary, I have found two pagodas are made from brass (or from bronze). Both of them are similar in structure. Also there are several statue of the Buddha too. One is very large brass statue. The Buddhist people (most from Rakhaine Tribe) used to come at here for their regular prayer.
[We need more detail information of this spot. If you have more information and photos, please be advised to add and share in our website. Your name will be published as a Content Contributor]
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[1] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Paharpur Buddhist Monastery{:}{:bn}পাহাড়পুর বৌদ্ধ বিহার{:}
[post_id] => 3673
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/paharpur-buddhist-monastery/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Paharpur-Buddhist-Monastery-9-300x169.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Paharpur Buddhist Monastery, also known as Somopura Mahavihara is one of the most important ancient sites in our country. It was declared as a World Heritage site in 1985. There were monasteries which were built in Pala period in Bengal and in Magadha. Dharampala Vikramsila was the pioneer in building this monastery. He was the king of Varendi Magadha. It is a large square rectangle which is approximately 920 feet. The entrance is from the north side. The outer walls of monastery point towards the sanctuary area which is designed with rows of walls. The total number of cells are 177. The central sanctuary has a solid ground plan which ascents in 3 terraces above ground level to a peak of 70 feet.
Somapura Mahavihara (Bengali: সোমপুর মহাবিহার Shompur Môhabihar) in Paharpur, Badalgachhi Upazila, Naogaon District,Bangladesh (25°1'51.83"N, 88°58'37.15"E) is among the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the most important archeological sites in the country. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
A number of monasteries grew up during the Pāla period in ancient Bengal and Magadha. According to Tibetan sources, five great Mahaviharas stood out: Vikramashila, the premier university of the era; Nalanda, past its prime but still illustrious; Somapura Mahavihara; Odantapurā; and Jaggadala. The monasteries formed a network; "all of them were under state supervision" and there existed "a system of co-ordination among them ... it seems from the evidence that the different seats of Buddhist learning that functioned in eastern India under the Pāla were regarded together as forming a network, an interlinked group of institutions," and it was common for great scholars to move easily from position to position among them.
The excavation at Paharpur, and the finding of seals bearing the inscription Shri-Somapure-Shri-Dharmapaladeva-Mahavihariyarya-bhiksu-sangghasya, has identified the Somapura Mahavihara as built by the second Pala king Dharmapala (circa 781–821) of Pāla Dynasty. Tibetan sources, including Tibetan translations of Dharma Kayavidhi and Madhyamaka Ratnapradipa, Taranatha's history and Pag-Sam-Jon-Zang, mention that Dharmapala's successor Devapala (circa 810–850) built it after his conquest of Varendra. The Paharpur pillar inscription bears the mention of 5th regnal year of Devapala's successor Mahendrapala (circa 850–854) along with the name of Bhiksu Ajayagarbha. Taranatha's Pag Sam Jon Zang records that the monastery was repaired during the reign of Mahipala (circa 995–1043 AD).
The Nalanda inscription of Vipulashrimitra records that the monastery was destroyed by fire, which also killed Vipulashrimitra's ancestor Karunashrimitra, during a conquest by the Vanga army in the 11th century, assumed to be an army of the Varman rulers. About a century later Vipulashrimitra renovated the vihara and added a temple of Tara.
Over time Atish's spiritual preceptor, Ratnakara Shanti, served as a sthavira of the vihara, Mahapanditacharya Bodhibhadra served as a resident monk, and other scholars spent part of their lives at the monastery, including Kalamahapada, Viryendra and Karunashrimitra. Many Tibetan monks visited the Somapura between the 9th and 12th centuries.
During the rule of the Sena dynasty, known as Karnatadeshatagata Brahmaksatriya, in the second half of the 12th century the vihara started to decline for the last time. One scholar writes, "The ruins of the temple and monasteries at Pāhāpur do not bear any evident marks of large-scale destruction. The downfall of the establishment, by desertion or destruction, must have been sometime in the midst of the widespread unrest and displacement of population consequent on the Muslim invasion.
{:}{:bn}
পাহাড়পুর বৌদ্ধ বিহার বা সোমপুর মহাবিহার আমাদের দেশের অন্যতম গুরুত্বপূর্ণ প্রাচীন নিদর্শন যেটিকে ১৯৮৫ সালে বিশ্ব ঐতিহ্য হিসেবে ঘোষণা করা হয়। এখানে ছিল বাংলা এবং মাগাধায় পাল আমলে নির্মিত বৌদ্ধবিহার। বরেন্দি মাগাধার রাজা বিক্রমশিলা এই বৌদ্ধবিহার নির্মাণে অগ্রণী ভুমিকা পালন করেন। এটি একটি ৯২০ ফিট দীর্ঘ বিশাল চারকোণা স্থাপনা যেখানে মোট ১৭৭ টি কক্ষ আছে এবং যেখানে প্রবেশের পথ উত্তর দিকে অবস্থিত। বৌদ্ধ বিহার থেকে পুণ্যস্থান পর্যন্ত পথে দেয়ালের সারি আছে এবং মাঝের পুণ্যস্থানটি ৩ টি স্তরে মাটি থেকে ৭০ ফুট উচ্চতায় অবস্থিত।
{:}
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[2] => Array
(
[name] => Bikrompur Bouddha Bihar
[post_id] => 8281
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/bikrompur-bouddha-bihar/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bb-1-300x169.jpg
[post_content] => Bikrompur Bouddha Bihar(বিক্রমপুর বৌদ্ধ বিহার) is one of the most ancient Buddhist Bihar (Approximately 1000 years old), buried under soil at Rampal union parishad of Raghurampur Village in Munshiganj District. It is assumed that this Bihar was built in late 8th-9th century AD. It was revealed by conducting excavation very recent years. Bihar is a place being used as a Residential Higher Education Center.
How it was discovered: Researchers said, from the very beginning they had conducted nine test excavations at Rampal & Bojrojogini Union Parishad, where they found the evidences of pre-medieval human settlement. At the 9th grid they discovered the existence of a brick wall. Depending on that evidence Archaeologist dug a trench measuring 80×60m. Later they discovered this Buddhist Bihar.
What can be seen there: In the south-east corner of that structure there are two diagonal brick walls. One is extended from south to north and another one is extended from east to west. Likewise, the other Buddhist Bihar structure the chamber for Buddhist Monk was built beside main brick wall. In the northern side there are five chambers have been revealed. Near to the western there is a another chamber. Dimension of those chambers are nearly three square meter. The side wall dividing the chambers is also being discovered.
Observing the architectural strategy and characteristics, researchers had confirmed this feature as a Buddhist Bihar. Similarity had been found in architectural property and design with the Shompur Bihar (Naogaon), Mahasthangarh (Bogra), Shalbon Bihar ( Comilla) and even with Nalonda Bihar of Patna (India). A pancha-stupa (Five stupa) structure is also been discovered at the middle of that Bihar.
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[3] => Array
(
[name] => Nateshwar Buddhist Temple
[post_id] => 8320
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/nateshwar-buddhist-temple/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NT-12-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Nateshwar Buddhist temple is one of the ancient Buddha temple in Bangladesh. Very recent years, Archaeologist discovered it by conducting recurring excavations. Joint team of archaeologists from Bangladesh and China has unearthed this ancient Buddhist temple with unique architectural features at the village Nateshwar in Munshiganj.
It is believed that this discovery will offer interesting glimpses into the early life of Atish Dipankar. A renowned Buddhist saint and scholar in Asia, who was born in this area over a thousand years ago. In the year of 2015, A 50-day excavation has been conducted in Nateshwar, which was started in 2013 by Agrasar Vikrampur Foundation.
Important Findings: Recent excavation has unearthed several valuable features from this renowned archaeological site. A massive octagonal stupa and a pair of stupas with a four-meter wide wall which are the first of their kinds in the history of the country's archaeological excavations. Discoveries of two roads and a 2.75 meters wide wall to the site's southeast side speak of a rich urban area of a bygone era.
Besides, other important relics including ash pits and pottery items have also been recovered from the site, they added. Archaeologists from both the countries expressed hope that these finds would reveal many hitherto unrevealed sides of Atish Diponkor life as well as shedding light on the advent and decline of Buddhism in this region.
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