Sompur Mahavihar: Oheen Iram

Sompur Mahavihar is an 8th-century Buddhist monastery located in Paharpur near Rajshahi in northwestern Bangladesh. It is one of the largest monasteries in the southern Himalayas, covering nearly 11 hectares.

This place is one of the few Buddhist monasteries that survived the Muslim invasion of South Asia. British scientist Buckman Hamilton inspected its remains in the early 19th century and first realized the historical and cultural value of the vast square structure. A century later, in 1919, Somapura Mahavira was declared a protected archaeological site, and excavations began four years later. In 1985, UNESCO listed the monastery as a world heritage site.

In the 17th century, it was an important intellectual center, occupied alternately by Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus. So they can be found in the artwork on the thick facade of Sompur Mahavihar. Each side of the monastery is about 270 meters long and consists of monastery cells; more than 170 cells and 92 religious altars are in the building. Inside the wall is a courtyard with the remains of a traditional Buddhist pagoda. Evidence of other sacred objects and temples can be seen everywhere, including the Jain Caturmukhara structure. The structure shows the artistic and religious influence of the three main living groups of the monastery. Jain deities are depicted on the main walls, while terracotta artworks of Buddhism and sacred sculptures of Hindusim adorn the hallway.