Shalban Vihara

Shalvan Vihara

Bangladesh · Chattogram Division, Cumilla

Temple / ritual siteUnknown
Approximate period600 CE — 1,300 CEApproximately 7th–13th centuries CE, according to the UNESCO Tentative List dossier See on the map ↓

In brief

A large Buddhist monastery surrounding a central temple has been excavated at Shalban Vihara in the Mainamati archaeological region. Successive rebuilt temple plans illustrate changes in religious architecture over time.

What was found?

  • 1Copperplate inscriptions

    Eight copperplate inscriptions were found at the site. They allow the monastery's history to be studied through written documents.

  • 2Gold and silver coins

    Approximately 400 gold and silver coins were recovered during excavations. They are important for examining the monastery's material resources and the use of money during the period.

  • 3Clay seals and seal impressions

    Numerous fired-clay seals and impressions were found. They help researchers investigate the written and institutional aspects of monastic life.

  • 4Terracotta relief plaques

    These plaques decorate the base of the cruciform central shrine. They show the decorative program of religious architecture in its original setting.

  • 5Stone and bronze statues

    Numerous statues made of stone, bronze, and terracotta were found at the site. They document the production of religious representations in different materials.

What does it point to?

Şalban Vihara reflects an organized Buddhist community with communal worship and dining areas. According to researchers, hearths and pedestals later added to the cells indicate that some monks' food preparation and worship practices changed over time.

What did it teach us?

  1. Revealed that the central shrine was rebuilt on the same spot with different plans.
  2. Showed that the use of monastic cells changed over time.
  3. Made it possible to trace the transformation of Buddhist architecture in Bengal through structural remains.

Images

Shalvan Vihara (15108060312)
Toufique E Joarder · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Record

Culture
Samatata Buddhist culture
Coordinates
23.4262°, 91.1379°

Sources

  1. en.banglapedia.org
  2. whc.unesco.org

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