Buddhist Architecture in Bangladesh

I saw two Buddhist sites, Somapura Mahavihara, an 8^th century vihara, and Dhatu Jadi, a new Buddhist temple.

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.

Somapura Mahavihara

From the Somapura Mahavihara entry in Wikipedia:

Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur is among the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. It dates back to the 8^th century, from a similar time period to the nearby Halud Vihara and to the Sitakot Vihara in Nawabganj Upazila of Dinajpur District.

The site houses the architectural remains of a vast Buddhist monastery covering 11 ha (27 acres). It was an important intellectual center for Dharmic Traditions such as Buddhists (Buddha Dharma), Jains (Jaina Dharma) and Hindus (Sanatana Dharma) alike. The complex has 177 cells, viharas, numerous stupas, temples and a number of other ancillary buildings. The outside walls with ornamental terracotta plaques still display the influence of these three religions. The rooms were used by the monks for accommodation and meditation.

Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

View over the Somapura Mahavihara complex. (824k)

Central stupa in the Somapura Mahavihara. (673k)

Central stupa in the Somapura Mahavihara. (811k)

Central stupa in the Somapura Mahavihara. (724k)

Closer view of the central stupa in the Somapura Mahavihara. (842k)

View of the complex from the stupa. (855k)

View of the complex from the stupa. (701k)

Structures in the complex. (1053k)

On the stupa. (710k)

On the stupa. (825k)

Buddha Dhatu Jadi

From the Buddha Dhatu Jadi entry in Wikipedia:

The Buddha Dhatu Jadi, also known as the Bandarban Golden Temple is located close to Balaghata town, in Bandarban City. Dhatu are the material remains of a holy person, and in this temple the relics belong to Buddha. It is the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in Bangladesh and has the second-largest Buddha statue in the country.

The Bandarban Golden Temple belongs to the Theravada Buddhism order, which is practiced by the Marma indigenous people, a dominant ethnic group of Bandarban. It was built in 2000 in Arakanese architecture, an adoption of the South East Asia style.

There are prayer stations around the temple for each day of the week. Each day is associated with an animal:

Monday: Tiger
Tuesday: Lion
Wednesday Elephant
Thursday: Rat
Friday: Pig
Saturday: Dragon
Sunday: Garuda (mythical bird)