Buddhist vihara and pagoda, Naogaon
Jagaddala Mahaviharaজগদ্দল মহাবিহার
- Time needed
- About an hour.
- best months
- Nov–Feb
- Cost
- Free.
The excavated base of a Pala-era Buddhist monastery near the Indian border at Dhamoirhat, linked with King Ramapala and long known as a seat of learning.
At a glance
- Period
- Pala, late 11th century
- Upazila
- Dhamoirhat
About
Historians tie Jagaddala to Ramapala, who restored Pala power in the late 11th century and founded a new capital, Ramavati; the monastery is remembered in Tibetan texts as a place where scholars taught and translated. Locals long took the mound for the ruins of a zamindar's house.
Excavations have uncovered brick walls, cells and the black stone pillars that once carried the upper floors. The site is smaller and quieter than Paharpur and still being dug, so what you see changes from year to year. Altadighi National Park is close by, and the two make a good half day.
Getting there: Bus from Naogaon town to Dhamoirhat, then a CNG or van about 8 km north-east.
Things to do
- Look for the black stone pillar bases among the brick cells.
Good to know
- Pair it with Altadighi, a few kilometres north.
