Shalban Vihara, Mainamati, Comilla ©HoE

SALBAN VIHARA (শালবন বিহার)

Shalban vihara (শালবন বিহার Shalban Bihar) in Mainamati, Comilla, Bangladesh is one of the best known Buddhist Viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.

This site previously called Salban ‘Rajar Bari’ came out after archaeological excavation as a Buddhist monastery and hence termed as Salban Vihara. From terracotta seals and copper plates discover here its original name is Bhava Deva Maha-Vihara which came from the 4th king of the early Deva dynasty. This territory had been ruled by Deva dynasty during mid 7th to 8th century AD.

The large square monastery of 550 feet sides with 115 monastic cells a dominant central shrine and a number of subsidiary shines, stupas and chapels, provides access through its monumental gateway on the north. Recently 2014-2015 AD fiscal year Department of Archaeology, Chittagong Division, Comilla, conducted an archaeological excavation at Salban Vihar. After the excavation here traced out an ancient well, which was made approximately 7th to 8th century AD. On the other hand here found some terracotta plaques, bronze images, coins and some other valuable object.
While the central shine revealed, six building phases and the monastery four traced there. The 1st and 2nd phases of the central shrine remains buried under the ruins of the 3rd, 4th and 5th periods but the remains of the 6th phases have been removed from the top. The cruciform central shrine of third period built with the monastery as a single complex.

Central temple turned as a cruciform design at the third build period and at the same time it recognized a well known institution surrounded by some other temples and stupas. It’s not only a temple but also an administrative center and university complex.
The large assemblage of valuable antiquities recovered from excavation in the site and now housed in the museum. Because of great importance in as such as those contribute significantly to our knowledge of ancient Vanga, Samatata covering a period of about seven hundred years from 6th to 12th century AD.

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