Somapura Mahavihara (Rajshahi) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Somapura Mahavihara is an ancient Buddhist monastery and a significant archaeological site located in Paharpur, in the Naogaon District of Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. Dating back to the 8th century, it is one of the most important and largest Buddhist monasteries in the Indian subcontinent and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Somapura Mahavihara was a renowned intellectual center from the 8th to the 12th century with influence felt across the region, including Tibet, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It was founded by the second Pala king Dharmapala. This site is a testament to the flourishing cultural and religious achievements of the era's Buddhist Pala dynasty.

Visitors will encounter a grand quadrangular complex, characterized by its central pyramid-like stupa, numerous cells for monks, a variety of stupas, and temples along its borders, intricate terracotta plaques displaying diverse motifs, and evidence of high urbanization of the ancient period. The Mahavihara's museum also showcases diverse artifacts and relics uncovered during excavations.