Paharpur

In Paharpur, a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj railway station in the greater Rajshahi district,  the remains of the  most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas has bee excavated. This  8th century A.D. archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The entire establishment occupies a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. and from 12fh to 15ft. in height with elaborate gateway complex  on the north. There are  45 cells on the north and 44 in each of other three sides with a total number of 177 rooms. The architecture of the  pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and  Java. It had taken its name from a high mound, which looked like pahar or hillock. A site  museum built recently houses the  representative coactions of objects recovered from the area. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the  Veranda Research museum at Rajshahi. The  antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaques, images of different  gods and goddesses, potteries, coins, inscriptions, ornamental bricks and  other minor clay objects . It has  been declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO