Mohara Moradu Buddhist Monastery in Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan

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Text Source:- Wikipedia 

29-03-2018

View of Monastery 1917 after excavation taken from book guide to taxila by Sir john Marshall

INTRODUCTION

Mohra Muradu is the place of an ancient Buddhist stupa and monastery near the ruins of Taxila, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The ancient monastery is located in a valley and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The monks could meditate in all stillness at this place but were near enough to the city of Sirsukh to go for begging as it is only around 1.5 km away.

The city was built in the 2nd century CE and renovated in the 5th century. Thus it belongs to the Kushan age.

The ruins consist of three distinct parts, which include the main stupa, a votive stupa and the monastery and have been included in the world heritage list of the UNESCO since 1980 under Taxila.

EXCAVATION

The ruins of Mohra Muradu were excavated under the supervision of Sir John Marshall by Abdul Qadir in 1914-1915. They consist of a buddhist monastery and two stupas. The main stupa is built on a foundation more than 4.75 meters high. The smaller, votive, stupa lies behind the bigger one.

MONASTERY

The monastery consists of 27 rooms for the students and the teachers built around a courtyard with a pool. The large, square shaped pool contained water for ritual washings and was about half a metre deep. Stairs to the pool were present on all sides. The monastery also contained a kitchen and a well for water that still functions today. The rain water was collected into the pool from the roof of the monastery over wooden extensions. Statues of Buddha are found abundantly in the courtyard and the rooms for the students. An assembly hall is also present in one corner of the monastery.

The monastery was a double story building. Stairs to the upper story went through one of the rooms. There was additional connection through wooden constructions from the courtyard. The strength of the walls has, however, led to the idea that there might have existed even a third story.

Monk Cells, In front remains of pool

Monks Cells,  Buddha replica statuses and remains of pool

Niche where groups of   figures shifted to Taxila Museum

Mohara Moradu suppose to be a Vihara, you can remain of stairs to reach First floor

Another Views of Stair

Another View of Monk Cells

Monk Cell

Stupa 1

Stupa 2

Foundation of Circular Votive Stupa

The Monumental Votive Stupa 

The monument is found in one of the rooms of the monastery. It was probably dedicated to the memory of one of the teachers who used to live in the room where it is located. The umbrellas were once colored. The monument is about 4 meters high.

Replica of Votive Stupa placed in cell,original stupa shifted to Taxila Museum

1917 Picture of Votive Stupa by Sir John Marshall

                                                          BUDDHA & BODHISATTVA STATUES 

Statues Relics before Shifting to Taxila Mueseum

statue of Bodhisattva found at  current site present now at taxila museum

Replica of Statues , original shifted to taxila museum

Replica of Statues , original shifted to taxila museum

Replica of Statues , original shifted to taxila museum

Explanation of Site  Taken from the book  Sir John Marshall Book Guide to Taxila

OTHER FEATURES

The assembly hall of the monastery. The bases of the supporting columns are visible.

well

Jahanabad Buddha Reborn

Italian archaeologists have achieved a remarkable feat by restoring one of South Asia's most significant pieces of Buddhist art, nine years after it fell victim to a devastating attack by the Taliban.

The Jehanabad Buddha, renowned for its grandeur, suffered the loss of its face at the hands of Taliban militants. However, through a series of six month-long expeditions, an Italian-led team of restorationists has successfully reinstated the Buddha's visage, resurrecting its former splendor.

This majestic sculpture, an immense cliff-face carving, held an esteemed position as one of the foremost treasures of Buddhist art in the region, second only to the colossal Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan. Tragically, the Bamiyan Buddhas, towering at heights of 115 and 174 feet, met their untimely demise in 2001 at the hands of the Taliban. In a similar act of wanton destruction, the Jehanabad Buddha suffered a similar fate in 2007 when militants callously implanted explosives into its face and shoulders under broad daylight.

Carved during the 6th or 7th century, this sculpture stands as a testament to the Swat Valley's historical significance as a thriving center of Buddhism. At its zenith, the valley radiated with the teachings and practices of the faith, attracting devotees and scholars from far and wide. It is worth noting that Padmasambhava, an influential figure in Tibetan Buddhism, is believed to have been born in the valley shortly after the statue's construction, further emphasizing its cultural and spiritual importance.

The successful restoration of the Jehanabad Buddha stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Italian archaeologists and their commitment to preserving and honoring our shared cultural heritage. Through their meticulous efforts, they have breathed new life into this extraordinary work of art, ensuring that future generations can marvel at its beauty and gain a deeper understanding of the profound Buddhist legacy that once thrived in the Swat Valley.

Buddhist Monasteries and Stupa at Giri 1 & 2, Taxila

Site Visited: 30-03-2018

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Location of Site:-

08 KM North East of Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan

Importance of Site:-

Buddhist Monasteries, Stupa, and remains of the ancient fort

Historical Background:-

It was built in the fifth century perhaps as a stronghold for the thousands of monks in Taxila Valley. About 500 meters of the fort wall still stands. Part of the monastery is also in good condition

"The glen of Giri is located 8 km northeast of Taxila, at the foot of Margallah. It is approached through a rough torrent bed near two villages named Khurram Gujar and Khurram Paracha.

Two groups of Buddhist establishments are found here, a fort, a Muslim Ziarat, and mosques, all ranging from the early Kushana period to the time of Akbar(1556-1605). The Buddhist constructions fall into two groups- the eastern and the western. The eastern group, which stands just above the spring, consists of a stupa in the north and a monastery in the south. The western group consists of a stupa of a square shape in the north and a monastery in the east.

To the north of the monasteries lie mosques, Ziarats, and a rocky hill strengthened by a fort wall having semi-circular bastions. Inside there are remains of dwellings and other structures. The fortification belongs to a time much later than that of the Huns.

Giri 1:-

The first site comprises the monastery and Stupa located at the hilltop. At present stupa is in very bad shape. urgent restoration works needed to be executed to preserve this great site of the ancient past.

Stupa at hill

Remains of Monastery at Hill, Stupa in Background

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Another View of Monastery 

Monastery 

Monastery

Monastery

Monastery

Giri 2:-

This site comprises a well-preserved monastery.  

Aerial View of Giri 2 from the hilltop of girl 1

Girl 1 Monastery 

Girl 1 Monastery 

Girl 1 Monastery 

Girl 1 Monastery 

Giri Fort:-

The remains of Giri Fort are perched on the hilltop, with spring water falling within it. The fort was built in the 5th century by Buddhist monks. Later, it was used by Sultan Masud, son of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni."