Nandadirghi Mahavihara
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Nandadirghi was a Buddhist mahavihara in ancient and medieval Bengal.[1] Considered one of the centers of learning in ancient Bengal, it is located at Jagjivanpur village, 41 kilometres (25 mi) east of present-day Malda city by road. The almost square-style mahavihara, Nandadirghi, founded in the 9th century, a similar style was followed in other viharas of eastern India, such as Lalitgiri in Odisha.
 The ruins of Nandadirghi Mahavihara | |
Shown within West Bengal | |
| Location | Malda district, West Bengal, India |
|---|---|
| Region | Bengal |
| Coordinates | 25°02′33″N 88°24′13″E / 25.042423°N 88.403634°E |
| Type | Mahavihara |
| History | |
| Founded | 9th century |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1995–1996, 1996–1997, 1997–98, 1998–1999 |
| Condition | In ruins |
| Ownership | Government of West Bengal |
| Public access | Yes |
Nandadirghi was founded in the 9th century during the reign of the Pala Empire. The mahavihara continued to flourish with the patronage of the rulers of the Pala Empire.
Architecture
Nandadirghi Mahavihara is a Buddhist monastery complex. Located on the banks of the ancient Tongil River, it is considered one of the Buddhist-religious structures in Bengal.
Site and plan
The Nandadirghi is a combination of the open courtyard—the area surrounding the central building or monastery structure—and the courtyard planned at the center of the central structure. The open courtyard surrounding the central monastery structure was protected by a moat.
Features
Outer enclosure
Although its excavated ruins cover an area of only 9432 square meters today, the Nandadirghi Mahavihara occupied a much larger area during the medieval period.[2] The mahavihara complex was surrounded by a moat, the ditch of which is extant today. Most of the area of the complex is used as human settlement and agricultural land.[3]
Central structure
The Mahavihara structure is almost square, and consists of a tower chamber at each corner of the exterior and a square courtyard inside.[4] The courtyard was surrounded by paths adjacent to the verandah, which was constructed of tiles.[5]
References
- ^ Amar 2009, p. 235.
- ^ Datta, Rangan (28 March 2022). "The story of a ninth-century Buddhist 'vihara' in Malda". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Sengupta, Gautam. "Jagjivanpur - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Ghosh 1997, pp. 132–134.
- ^ Ghosh 1997, p. 132.
Bibliography
- Ghosh, Pradyot (1997). "সংযোজন - জগজ্জীবনপুর". মালদহ জেলার পুরাকীর্তি (Paperback) (in Bengali) (1st ed.). Kolkata: Directorate Of Archaeology And Museums, Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal. p. 129–137.
- Amar, Abhishek Singh (2009). "Contextualising the Navel of the Earth: The Emergence, Sustenance and Religious Transformation of Buddhism in the Bodhgaya Region (Circa. 300 BCE - 1200 CE)" (PDF). Retrieved 29 September 2024.