Mainamati and Shalban Bihara, Comilla, Bangladesh

                     Mainamati and Shalban Bihara

Comilla is a boisterous and a market town 90km southeast of capital Dhaka. Here Mainamati, an ancient seat of Buddhism in south Asia, is about 8 Km. to the west of Comilla town. Everywhere you go there will be an object of intense and friendly curiosity. It is a base for those visiting the fascinating and extensive Buddhist ruins of Mainamati. It is called the home of one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in the region. There are a number of Buddhist sites in this region, dating approximately from 7th to 12th centuries.

 Mainamati is named for the Chandra queen of the same name, mother of the Govindachandra.Large number of Buddhist ancient sculptures have been discovered from its neighboring areas other nearest archaeological sites of Ananda Vihara, Bhoj Rajar Bari, Kotila Mura, Charpatra Mura etc. is important and tourist attracted sites. Large full size Buddhist images were discovered from these places through archaeological excavates.

 The centre piece of the Buddhist sites at Mainamati is the Shalban Bihara almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill range insists 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 Shompur Bihara. It is clearly a Vihara, or an educational centre with residential facilities.

 

Kutila Mura is situated on a flattened hillock, about 5 km north way of Salban Vihara inside the Comilla Cantonment is a picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here, there are three stupas 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 which leads to a spacious hall. A number of shrines can be found here as well.

The natural green atmosphere and beauties are available around the whole Buddhist Bihara.  So why you are wasting your time by sitting in room, it’s just 2 hours journey from Dhaka to Comilla. One can easily go in the morning and could return at night.  There are luxurious bus and train services are available for Comilla where lots of others tourist places are also available near about the city, you can see altogether. For Bangladesh Railway Mohanagar Provati, Godhuli, Upokul Express and other mail trains is available to go to Comilla. Many remarkable restaurants are available for lunch or dinner in Comilla town and besides the famous “Roshomalai” on desert as well. Interested tourists may avail package tours with smart guides by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation to visit this historic seat of Buddhist civilization.

The Mainamati site 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,