Somapura Mahavihara Visitors Center

Abstract

Cultural heritage is the conveyance of life-style developed by any community passing through generations. It plays a significant role in building up connections to the past. During The Pala Dynasty several Viharas around Bengal were established. According to Tibetan sources, five great Mahaviharas stood out: Vikramashila, Nalanda, Somapura Mahavihara, Odantapura and Jaggadala. Somapura Mahavihara is one of the finest examples of the flourishment of Buddhism in Bengal. It had once been a center for education and meditation for Buddhist scholars. Although, Somapura Mahavihara holds significant value in our history but the unplanned development around the ruin and lack of tourist facilities demotivates tourists to come and also create a negative impression. The aim of the project is to create cultural heritage awareness among the people that will come in handy to heritage conservation and to cater facilities for the tourists, archaeologists, young researchers and art enthusiasts as well.