Shalban vihara in Moinamoti, Comilla, Bangladesh is one of the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the most important archeological sites in the country.
The city Comilla is located in the South-Eastern part of Bangladesh, about 97 km from Dhaka (Capital of Bangladesh) and situated along with the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. The region was once under the ancient Samatat and joined with Tripura State (India). In 1970 the disrtrict was established as Tripura district.
During 8th century AD Mainamati-Lalmai was ruled by Deva Dynasty. In 9th century the district was came under the reign of the Kings Harikela and in 10th and mid 11th century AD ruled by Chandra Dynasty. The British East India Company started ruled over here in 1765 AD. It was established as Tripura district in 1790 AD. In 1960 AD the district was renamed Comilla. Chandpur and Brahmanbaria together was called the Biggest Comilla and 1984 this two region was transfirmed into another two district.
Mainamati, only 114 km from Dhaka. Its an isolated low, Dimpled range of hills, dotted with 8th and 12th centuries 50 ancient Buddhist Settelments. Its an extensive center of Buddhist Culture. These are khows as famous Mainamati-Lalmai range are extended througn Comilla. The whole range of hillocks run for about 18 km, and is studded with more than 50 sites. A site museum stored the Archaeological things which include Bronze statues and caskets, Terracotta plaques, Utensils, Coins jewellery, Pottery and Votive stupas embossed with Buddhist inscription
Also called Shalbon Bihar, It was the royal palace for the early Buddhist Students. This range of hill consists of 115 cells. Students from various places come here for their Meditation and Religious learning. It’s such a quite place inside a barren forest. During their study period the students stay in the Dormetory/Cells around the temple. Before 1200 years ago the King Bhava Deva built that place on a 167.6http://wonderfulsiteoftheworld.blogspot.com/ sq m ground. The range was built around a spacious courtyard with Cross-shaped temple in the centre facing its only gateway complex to the north resembling that of the Paharpur Monastery. About 2 km north from Shalbon Bihar theres another monastry called “Ananda Vihara / Anondo Bihar”.
Kotila Mura Charpatra Mura:
About 5 km north from Shalbon Bihar inside Comilla Cantonment and situated on a flattened mound named Kotila Mura. It is a picturesque of famous Buddhist establishment in Comilla. Three stupas are standing here side by side that represents the Buddhist "Trinity" or three jewels: the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Charpatra Mura is an isolated small rectangular figure of shrine located about 2.5 km North-west of kotila Mura. The only approach to Charpatra Mura is from the East through a gateway which leads to a spacious hall.
2nd World War Cemetery:
Before the 2nd World war, Mainamati was a hamlet of a few dozen huts. A huge number of military camps established there during the war. Several ordnance depots and a number of military hospitals, both British and Indian, were in the area and the majority of the burials in Mainamati War Cemetery were from the various hospitals. The cemetery was started by the Army and laid out by the garrison engineer. It is such a nice place dominated by a small flat-topped hill crowned with indigenous flowering and evergreen trees. This hill laid the Christian Graves between the entrance and on the far side of it are the Muslim graves. A Cross of Sacrifice stands on a terrace about half-way up the hill and on the other side a shelter looks over the Muslim graves to a tree-framed view of the countryside beyond. There are over 700, 2nd world war casualties memories in this cemetery.
