Shalbon Buddhist Bihar
Shalbon Buddhist Bihar is one of the signs of the ancient civilization of Bangladesh. Once upon a time, there were lots of Sal and Gazari trees around it. Hence this place was named Shalbon Bihar. The length of each side of Shalbon Bihar is 167.7 meters. Shalbon Bihar has a total of 155 rooms and each room has a front balcony. Each room has niches for keeping oil lamps, books, and idols of deities.
Location of Shalbon Bihar-
Shalbon Bihar is located in the Kotbari area of Comilla District. It is mainly located in the area between Bangladesh Rural Development Academy or BARD and Lalmai Hills. Next to it is a village called Shalbonpur.
How to go to Shalbon Bihar?
The best and easiest way to reach Shalbon Vihar from Dhaka is by bus. Tisha, Tisha Plus, Asia Line, Monami, etc. buses depart from Dhaka’s Syedabad Bus Terminal or Tikatuli for Comilla. Non AC fare is Tk 250 per person. And AC rent is Tk 300 per person (Monami). I like the service of the Monami AC bus compared to other buses.
Besides, you can also come from Dhaka to Comilla by train. Mahanagar Express, Turna Express, Chatala Express, and Upokul Express run from Dhaka to Comilla. Rent (S Chair)- 170 Tk to AC Berth- 700 Tk per person. Dhaka to Comilla train schedule and fare details. Train ticket book online.
Get off the bus/train and come to the Kandirpar area of Comilla. From here Auto or CNG directly goes to Shalbon Bihar. The fare will be Tk 40-50 per person. You can also reserve. CNG/Auto reserve fare will be 200-250.
Shalbon Bihar Entry Fee-
The ticket counter is located next to the main entrance gate to Bihar.
Ticket price per person – 10 taka
No camera fee is needed.
****It is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Don’t forget to eat Rasmalai of Comilla from Matrivandar Ras malai (Dessert). The taste is amazing.
Shop Name- Matrivandar Rasmalai
Address- Manoharpur, Kandirpar, Comilla. Comilla’s most delicious ras malai (dessert) is made here. There is a huge crowd of people here every day.
Tips and Warnings-
1) It is better to travel in a group of 4-5 people. You can reserve a CNG or auto from Kandirpar or Shasongacha to Shalbon Bihar.
2) There are many more places around Shalban Bihar, such as Nobo Shalbon Bihar, Maynamati Museum, Dharmasagar Dighi, etc. Reserve an Auto/CNG from Comilla main city for one day and travel to those places. CNG cost may be 1000-1200 taka. (Top places in Comilla district you should visit)
3) Comilla city is very clean, so throw garbage in designated places
Information about Shalbon Bihar-
Salbon Bihar has a hall in the southeast part. Supposedly, this hall was used as a dining room for beggars. The width of the hall is 20 meters and the length is 10 meters. Shalbon Bihar has been excavated several times. A lot of archeological artifacts have been found here, such as 8 copper plates, about 400 gold and silver coins, terracotta sculptures, terracotta seals, seals, stone bronzes, etc. Archaeological excavations have also revealed the existence of several additional structures. These include dining halls, relatively small pillared obelisks, and also rectangular and square shape temples and shrines. Their base is well molded. Apart from this, there are various other buildings outside and inside Bihar. The exterior has a baldachin, similar to many of the ancient temples surrounded by pillars, and It is believed that such signs have not been found in any other Buddhist monastery
This site previously called Shalbon “Rajar Bari” came out after Archaeological excavation as a Buddhist Monastery and hence termed Shalban Vihara. From terracotta seals and copper plates, discover its original name is Bhava Deva maha-vihara. It came from the 4th king of the early Deva dynasty during the mid-7th to 8th century A.D. The large square monastery of 550 feet sides with 115 monastic cells a dominant central shrine and a number of subsidiary shrines, stupas, and chapels, provides access through its monumental gateway on the north. During the last 2014-2015, A.D. fiscal year department of Archaeology, Chittagong and Sylhet division, Comilla Shalbon Vihara conducted an archaeological excavation here. After the excavation here traced an ancient wheal. Which was made approximately the 7th to 8th century A.D.
On the other hand, here found some terracotta plaques, bronze images, silver coins, and some other valuable objects. In contrast, the central shrine revealed six building phases and the monastery four. The first and second phases of the central shrine remain buried under the ruins of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th periods but the remains of the 6th phases have been removed from the top. The cruciform central shrine of the third period builds with the monastery as a single complex. The large assemblage of valuable antiquities recovered from an excavation in the site and now housed in the museum are of great importance as such as those contribute significantly to our knowledge of ancient vanga, samatata, covering a period of about seven hundred years from 6th to 12th century A.D.