The Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur, about 80 km northeast of Rajshahi, is the largest Buddhist monastery ever excavated in the Indian subcontinent. Built in the late 8th century by the Pala king Dharmapala, the complex covers nearly 11 hectares and once housed over 177 cells for monks arranged around a central courtyard. At its centre stands the remains of a massive stepped pyramid temple — the main shrine — whose terracotta plaques still carry some of the finest decorative work from the Pala period.
The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Excavations have revealed sculptures, bronzes, coins, and thousands of decorated terracotta bricks that confirm the monastery was an international centre of Buddhist learning for several centuries. The site museum at the entrance holds a selection of the best finds; allow two to three hours for the site and museum combined. Getting here from Rajshahi requires either a hired car or a bus to Naogaon followed by a short connection to Paharpur — the UNESCO status has not brought with it much tourist infrastructure, and you will likely be one of very few foreign visitors.