Paharpur

Rahman MM, on February 5, 2007, said:

Paharpur Buddhist Monastery is another tourist attraction of Bangladesh. Paharpur is a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj in the greater Rajshahi district. King Dharma Pal established Paharpur Buddhist Monastery in 7th century, which is the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas,has been excavated. The main tample is in the center of this Monastery. This 7th century archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The entire establishment, occupying a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. externally on each side, has high enclosure- walls about 16 ft. in thickness and from 12 ft. to 15 ft. height. With elaborate gateway complex on the north, there are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of the other three sides with a total number of 177 rooms. The architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temples profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java.