Bhallar Stupa Taxila (2021)

The coordinates of Bhallar stupa are 33°48'48.44"N, 72°49'30.85"E. Located on the Sarada Hill, just beyond the Haro River, along the route from Mechanical Complex to Haripur, this stupa holds a commanding position. It proudly stands as the tallest stupa in Taxila.

Bhallar stupa has a rich history, with notable visits from Chinese pilgrims pa Hien and Hiuen Tsang. They believed it to be the spot where Buddha himself offered his head. Constructed during the "medieval period" following the Hun era, this magnificent structure comprises a grand stupa, surrounded by votive stupas, shrines, and a monastery. It served as the place where the Buddhist monk Kumaralabha composed his treatise.

The main stupa, though now broken on its northern face, once stood on a majestic oblong base. A flight of steps on the eastern side leads up to this base. The stupa consists of a plinth base, a drum, a dome, and originally, umbrellas. The drum is adorned with Corinthian pilasters, freezes, and dental cornices, beautifully divided into six or seven tiers.

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."