Paharpur, Rajshahi (Naogaon) · 25.0310°, 88.9770°
The largest single Buddhist monastery south of the Himalaya — a quadrangle of 177 cells around a towering cruciform shrine whose terraced form, scholars argue, echoes across Bagan and even Angkor. A powerhouse of Pala-era learning tied to Nalanda and Vikramashila; the great teacher Atisha, who renewed Buddhism in Tibet, is associated with residence here. UNESCO-listed in 1985.
Its terracotta plaques mix Buddhas with snake-charmers, dancers and amorous couples — the monastery recording the whole world it renounced; Tibetan histories remember 'Somapuri' as one of the five jewel-viharas of the Pala realm.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Pala