Religious disputes used to occupy the minds of people a hundred centuries ago. To discuss debatable issues and make important decisions, the world's greatest Buddhists came to Bangladesh. There is the largest Buddhist monastery or, so-called, Vihara near the city of Rajshahi.

It is a huge boundless space. The monument is located on the territory of 85 square meters. Looking at this terracotta building, it is hard to believe that it is already a century-old construction. Somapura Mahavihara was built in the eighth century A.D. during the Pala dynasty. Centuries later, it was burned and then abounded. Nonetheless, today, the ancient Buddhist monastery in all its splendor pleases people again. The scale of the monument, the precisely constructed perimeter, and low stone fences around the main stupa are very impressive.

The main temple called «stupa» is in the center of the whole complex. Walk around the temple for a while. Examine it from all sides. If you look carefully, you can notice that the stupa is built in the shape of a cross. This is the first structure of this form in Buddhism.

After examining the main temple, you can go back to the beginning and walk along the walls of the complex. I’d like to remind you that this is not just a fence: there were 177 monk cells. Scientists believe that one room could fit several people.

You can say that spending a whole day in a monastery is like living one day as an eighth-century Buddhist monk. They used to get up at dawn, walk around the monastery a few times, study, meditate, and then walk around the Vihara once again.

If you always wanted to start meditating, Somapura Mahavihara is a great place to start. You may even reveal the knowledge of ancient Buddhist monks. Who knows! It is an incredible place of power, where energy is felt in every stone.

Come here at dawn or stay until sunset. Sun makes the monastery look amazing, so you will see real magic.