Paharpur Buddhist Viharas

Paharpur Buddhist Viharas is one of the ancient Buddhist landmarks in Bangladesh located in Badalgachhi Upazila in Naogaon District.

History and Background

The Paharpur Buddhist Viharas contains the ruins of ancient Buddhist Monastery dating from 8th century. Paharpur lies in the northwest zone of Bangladesh. It is widely acclaimed to be the second largest Buddhist monastery of the south of Himalayas. The Viharas was established by the then pala dynasty. The dynasty is said to rule Bangladesh for 3 to 5 centuries from the middle of the 8th century. At present, the spot has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites (WHS).

Major Attractions of the Spot

You will find a very peaceful environment in the tourist spot. There are 177 monastic cells, a water pit, and a kitchen in the main temple. You will find three level Suptas which are now largely ruined. The major attraction is Terracotta, an art of sculpture with mud. The Terracottas are a mixture of Buddist, Hindu and Jain artwork.

How to Get to The Spot

• It is about 282 kilometers away from Dhaka. You may travel to the tourist spot through buses and private car. It may take about 6 hours to reach the tourist spots through Dhaka-Tangail Highway. The site remains open from 10.00 pm to 5.00 pm for the tourists.
• You may directly go to the spot or get down on the bus in the Naogaon Bus Station and reach the tourist spots through minibusses, autos, and rickshaws.

Accommodation and Food

There are many hotels and restaurants located mainly in the Naogaon city area. You will find all kinds of local and foreign foods in these restaurants. They are also very much affordable. You may consider the following hotels and restaurants:

• Hotel Dallas International- Rajshahi- Naogaon Highway
• Hotel Daimond- Maldapatty
• Hotels Mrigaya- Chalkbazar Road

Nearest Tourist Spots

There are many tourist spots near to Paharpur Buddhist Viharas. You may also consider visiting them at the same time. They are also very fascinating. They are as follows:

• Mahasthangarh Bogra
• Gokul Medh
• Patisar Royal Place
• Dhibor Lake
• Balihar Royal Place
• Kushumba Mosque
• Paharpur Bihar

The beauty and the history behind Paharpur Buddhist Viharas will surely fascinate you. Every year thousands of visitors come to visit the tourist spot.