Nalanda
a part of the Budhist circuit, is famous for the
the ancient International Monastic University. Established
in 5th century BC by the Gupta Emperors, it was
a famous learning centres in ancient times. The
university had centres for studies in Buddhism,
Vedas, Logic, Grammar, Medicine, Meta-Physics, Prose
Composition and Rhetoric. Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira
have also taught here. The university library had
a mammoth collection of 9 million volumes.
The university remains are scattered around an area
of 14 hectares. Though a large part of the university
has been explored, a huge portion remains unexcavated.
It is believed that the university could accommodate
10,000 students and 2,000 teachers easily. Hsuan
Tsang, the renowned Chinese traveler was also involved
with the university foe 12 years. There is a monument
built here in his memory. In 12th century AD, the
whole university complex was destroyed by Bakhtiar
Khilji, a Turkish Invader. There is a museum where
the rare collections of the glorious days can be
seen. In 1951 an international center for Buddhist
studies was founded. Another modern institution
is the Nava Nalanda Mahavir Research Centre treasuring
many rare manuscripts.
Major Tourist Attractions in Nalanda :
The Nalanda University
Archaeological Complex
Total
excavated area of the complex is about 14 hectares.
The university was built in Kushana style of architecture.
There are huge gardens, bronze statues and red-brick
edifices all around. There are various temples here,
of which temple no.3 is most interesting, as it
has the statues of lord Buddha in various Mudras
(poses). There is a half broken statue of Lord Buddha
in the temple no.1.
The
Nalanda Archaeological Museum
Established
in 1971, the museum has a beautiful collections
bronze statues of Buddha, Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
The collections here were found during excavation
of the university site. The museum has rare manuscripts,
copper plates, stone inscriptions, coins, pottery
and a 12th century AD sample of burnt rice. Opens
at 10 am till 5 pm. It is closed on Friday.
Nava
Nalanda Mahavihara
This new
international study centre for Buddhism and Pali
literature was set up in 1951. It offers research
works on the ancient Pali language and Budhism.
Hieun
Tsang Memorial Hall
Hieun
Tsang was a famous Chinese traveler, who came India
during 5th century AD to study the social and political
conditions. He devoted 12 years in the ancient university
as a teacher as well as student. The memorial hall
was bulit in his memory.
