Halud Vihara

M Mahmud Ali

Halud Vihara, a famous Buddhist monastery, is located at Dwipganj village in Badalgachhi upazila of Naogaon district. There are many ancient monuments scattered in the area, including a large mound. According to historical research, the site, about 18 km north of Naogaon town, is associated with Raja Haladhara and Sonavan.

The site was excavated by the Department of Archaeology (DOA), at first in 1984 and for the second time in 1993. The digs revealed the remains of a temple complex, consisting of a solid square structure with 5.8 metre sides that was probably the base of a stupa, two unequal oblong rooms, a staircase and part of an enclosure wall. A number of interesting artifacts and objects of daily use have been unearthed from the site. The finds include earthen pots, pans, metal images, terracotta plaques and ornamental bricks.

The Halud Vihara site clearly indicates the existence of a rich Buddhist settlement from the early medieval period, coeval with the ruins of Paharpur and Sitakot in the Varendra region. Buddhism originated between the 6th and 4th centuries in India, from where it spread through much of Asia, including Bangladesh.

But it is unfortunate that local people are constructing houses on the southeastern corner of Halud Vihara. Certainly, this is a clear threat to the preservation of this heritage site. In February 1999, DOA submitted the details of Halud Vihara to UNESCO for enlisting the ancient monastery as a World Heritage Site. It is currently on UNESCO’s tentative site list for the status.

Reference: Bangladesher Protnoshompod by Abul Kalam Md Zakariya (Dibboprokash, 2007), and A preliminary Report on Excavation at Halud Vihara, DOA, 2000.

Photos: Writer

Halud Vihara

M Mahmud Ali Halud Vihara, a famous Buddhist monastery, is located at Dwipganj village in Badalgachhi upazila of Naogaon district. There are many ancient monuments scattered in the area, including a large mound. According to historical research, the site, about 18 km north of Naogaon town, is associated with Raja Haladhara and Sonavan. The site was excavated by the Department of Archaeology (DOA), at first in 1984 and for the second time in 1993. The digs revealed the remains of a temple complex, consisting of a solid square structure with 5.8 metre sides that was probably the base of a stupa, two unequal oblong rooms, a staircase and part of an enclosure wall. A number of interesting artifacts and objects of daily use have been unearthed from the site. The finds include earthen pots, pans, metal images, terracotta plaques and ornamental bricks. The Halud Vihara site clearly indicates the existence of a rich Buddhist settlement from the early medieval period, coeval with the ruins of Paharpur and Sitakot in the Varendra region. Buddhism originated between the 6th and 4th centuries in India, from where it spread through much of Asia, including Bangladesh. But it is unfortunate that local people are constructing houses on the southeastern corner of Halud Vihara. Certainly, this is a clear threat to the preservation of this heritage site. In February 1999, DOA submitted the details of Halud Vihara to UNESCO for enlisting the ancient monastery as a World Heritage Site. It is currently on UNESCOs tentative site list for the status. Reference: Bangladesher Protnoshompod by Abul Kalam Md Zakariya (Dibboprokash, 2007), and A preliminary Report on Excavation at Halud Vihara, DOA, 2000. Photos: Writer