Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, Badalgachhi Upazila,
Naogaon District, Bangladesh (25°1'51.83"N, 88°58'37.15"E) is among
the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the
most important archeological sites in the country. It was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1985.
The excavation at Paharpur, and the finding of seals bearing
the inscription
Shri-Somapure-Shri-Dharmapaladeva-Mahavihariyarya-bhiksu-sangghasya, has
identified the Somapura Mahavihara as built by the second Pala king Dharmapala
(circa 781–821) of Pala Dynasty. Tibetan sources, including Tibetan
translations of Dharmakayavidhi and Madhyamaka Ratnapradipa, Taranatha's
history and Pag-Sam-Jon-Zang, mention that Dharmapala's successor Devapala
(circa 810–850) built it after his conquest of Varendra. Sources
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