Mainamati

Mainamati (Bangla: ময়নামতি Môenamoti) is located almost 8 miles from the town of Comilla, Bangladesh. It is 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 CE. Comilla Cantonment is located nearby and houses a beautiful colonial era cemetery.

Mainamati is named for the Candra queen of the same name, mother of the Govindachandra.

Buddhist monuments

See also: History of Bangladesh

Shalban Vihara

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. It is clearly a Vihara, or an educational centre with residential facilities. It 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.

Kutila Mura situated on a plateau. About 5 kilometres north of Salban Vihara is another important 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 another 2.5 km. north-west of Kutila Mura stupas. Here a number of shrines can be found.

The Mainamati site Museum, situated next to Salvan Bihara, houses a good collection of artifacts found at these sites.

War cemetery at Mainamati

External links

• Banglapedia Article on Mainamati

Some people believe years ago people lived in Mainamoti.