Vikramshila Ruins Tourism

Vikramshila Ruins, situated in Bhagalpur district of Bihar, India, are the remains of the ancient Vikramshila University, founded by King Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty during the late 8th or early 9th century CE. This once prestigious university was a center for advanced studies and a crucible for Buddhist scholars. It is said that at its zenith, the university had more than a hundred teachers and about a thousand students from various parts of the world. It stretched over a sprawling campus that featured numerous stupas, monasteries, and temples along with the main gompas, which was encircled by a high wall. The university provided a structured curriculum primarily focused on Tantric Buddhism. The site, excavated by ASI, revealed various artifacts, inscriptions, and structures elucidating the rich cultural heritage and advanced educational standards of the time. The archaeological complex, lying atop a hillock by the Ganges, allows visitors to witness the grandeur of Pala architecture with carvings and statuary offering insights into the past.