Somapura Mahavihara's 177 Cells

Somapura Mahavihara is a Buddhist monastery in Paharpur, Bangladesh. The quadrangular structure holds 177 cells around a central stupa.

The second Pala king Dharmapala built the site between 781 and 821. Seals make excellent notary publics.

Scholars moved among 5 great universities under state supervision. Atisa lived here before traveling to Tibet.

Outside walls display ornamental terracotta plaques from Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus. The complex covers 27 acres.

Researchers debate the missing superstructure above the central temple. Prudence R. Myer proposed a stupa shape in 1969.

UNESCO designated Somapura Mahavihara a World Heritage Site in 1985. A master plan involved 5.6 million US dollars.

Somapura Mahavihara covered more land than any other monastery.

Terracotta artworks suffer from heavy rainfall, poor drainage, and high soil salinity.