Somapura Mahavihara
Also called: Paharpur vihara · Topic: Early Medieval North India: Harsha to the Rajputs · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 3 "Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries"
Meaning
Somapura Mahavihara was a large Buddhist monastery (vihara) at Paharpur, in present-day Bangladesh. The Pala king Dharmapala founded it in the late 8th century. It was one of the biggest viharas south of the Himalaya and a major centre of Mahayana Buddhist learning. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Example
The monastery has a huge square plan. Rows of monks' cells surround a tall central temple shaped like a cross with terraces. Its walls are decorated with terracotta plaques. This design is believed to have influenced Buddhist buildings in Southeast Asia.
Don't confuse with
- Vikramashila: also founded by Dharmapala, but it stood in Bihar and is known for its six colleges and its links with Tibet.
Related concepts
- Tripartite struggle
- Matsyanyaya
- Gopala
- Pala dynasty
- Dharmapala
- Devapala
- Vikramashila
- Odantapuri
- Atisha Dipankara
- Pala school of art