Mainamati (Bengali: ময়নামতি Môynamoti)
is an isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted with more than 50
ancient Buddhistsettlements dating to between the 8th
and 12th century CE. It extends through the centre of the district of Comilla in Bangladesh. Mainamati is located almost 8
miles from the town of Comilla. It is the home
of one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sitesin
the region. Comilla Cantonment is
located nearby and houses a beautiful colonial era cemetery.
[1] Mainamati is named for the Chandra queen of the same name, mother
of Govindachandra.
Mainamati is only 114 km. from Dhaka city
and is just a day's trip by road on way to Chittagong.
Shalban vihara: The centre piece of the Buddhist sites at
Mainamati is the Shalban vihara,
almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill range consists of 115 cells,
built around a spacious courtyard with a cruciform temple in the centre, facing
its only gateway complex to the north, resembling that of the Sompur Bihara. It is clearly a Vihara, or
an educational centre with residential facilities.
Kutila
Mura: situated on a flattened hillock, about 5 km north of
Shalban Vihara inside the Comilla Cantonment is
a picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here, three stupas are
found side by side representing the Buddhist "Trinity" or three
jewels, i.e. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Charpatra
Mura: is an isolated small oblong shrine situated about 2.5 km.
north-west of Kotila Mura stupas. The only approach to the shrine is from the
East through a gateway which leads to a spacious hall. Here a number of shrines
can be found.
Ananda Rajer Badi
Mainamati Ranir Badi: The Mainamati site Museum, situated
next to Shavian Vihara, houses a good collection of artifacts found at these
sites. The Museum has a rich and varied collection of copper plates, gold and
silver coins and 86 bronze objects. Over 150 bronze statues have been recovered
mostly from the monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures and hundreds of
terracotta plaques each measuring on an average of 9" high and 8" to
12" wide.
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