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Moghalmari Monastery
Monastery
1,374 views
Dantan (721451), Medinipur Division, West Bengal, India
Added on Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Updated on Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Year Built
600 CE (7th century)
Period
Post Gupta Period
Architectural Style
Built By
Buddhist Monastic Community
Patronage
Traders who benefited from the routes established by Buddhists
Contributed By
Team InheritageAdded Nov 17, 2025
Moghalmari Monastery
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Heritage Overview
Moghalmari Monastery
I visited the site on a very sunny summer afternoon. The ruins, despite being beautiful, were devoid of any other admirers. We were the only people around. There were layers upon layers of brick maze basking in the warm sun, it had been exposed to again after a very long time, when it was unearthed in 1999. A large portion had been excavated, while the rest still lay beneath the surrounding village. Beside the excavation site stood a small museum, filled with exhibits of artifacts found during the excavation. The exhibits had various seals, terracotta tablets, coins, bricks and many other objects of interest. The caretaker joined us after a while and gave us a short but very informative tour of the excavation site. His stories were very vivid, his words gave us a very surreal glimpse into the past when the place was teeming with Buddhist monks, and Buddha's followers from all over Eastern India. The warm breeze brushed against my skin as I took a deep breath and observed the ruins. The mounds under which these ruins rested were once locally known as "Sakhisener dhibi", as an ode to a local folklore about two lovers. There was something very ironic about a place dedicated to detachment, serenity and a search for happiness being named after one of the deepest human experiences. One that is filled with sorrow, hurt, grief and also immense happiness, one being the epitome of rationality, the other being one of the most confounded irrationality. Despite the irony, the name is fitting; it remains a testament of enduring love among the locals. Moghalmari Monastery is a significant Buddhist archaeological site dating from the 6th to 12th centuries CE, located near the Subarnarekha River in Paschim Medinipur District. The site represents one of the most important Buddhist viharas in Eastern India, revealing extensive monastic architecture, stupas, and artifacts that illuminate the spread of Buddhism and trade networks during the medieval period. The monastery complex covers approximately 3,595 square meters and features triratha-type structures, multiple stupas, intricate stucco decorations, and terracotta artifacts that reflect Vajrayana Buddhist influences and connections to contemporary monastic centers like Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Paharpur.
Historical Context
Many say the name of Moghalmari is derived from a bloody battle that took place in the 16th century between the local king and the Mughals. According to both historians and locals, the name — composed of two words, Mughal and mari (the latter meaning "death") — suggests that the Mughals suffered heavy casualties. In this small village, the discovery of a Buddhist vihara (monastery for meditation and study) by Asok Datta, an archaeologist from Calcutta University, marked a new chapter in the study of Buddhism's history in India. This finding also helped in understanding trade and dissemination of knowledge across ancient India, as researchers established a link between this particular vihara and several other viharas, including the renowned Nalanda University. Buddhist monasteries arose along trade routes. The patrons of these viharas, Moghalmari included, were traders rather than kings. They were established on the outskirts of core living quarters, where people from the lower castes resided. The monastery was first excavated in 2002-03 by Professor Asok Datta from the University of Calcutta, revealing a large Buddhist monastic complex dating from the 6th to 12th centuries CE. Subsequent excavations by the West Bengal State Archaeology Department in 2013 uncovered additional structures including a brick gateway, southern wall with extensive stucco decorations, and numerous artifacts. The site has revealed two structural phases: an earlier phase (6th-7th Century CE) with extensive stucco and decorative brickwork, and a later phase (11th-12th Century CE) including the triratha structure and additional stupas. Chinese travelers Fa Hien and Hiuen Tsang mentioned the existence of Buddhist monasteries in the region, corroborating the site's historical significance.
Location Map
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Main Site: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Daily.
Entry Fee
Free for all visitors.
Best Visit Times
October to March: Pleasant weather (15-25°C) ideal for exploring the open-air archaeological site. Early mornings are recommended for cooler temperatures and a more peaceful experience.
Architectural Highlights
Architectural Style
Period
Post Gupta Period
Influences
Vajrayana Buddhist Style, Post-Gupta Period Architecture, Triratha Architecture, Buddhist Monastery Design, Tantric Buddhist Motifs, Gupta Period Influences
Heritage Status
Not under any heritage status
Preservation Status
Partially excavated and preserved. The site is exposed and requires ongoing conservation efforts. A significant portion of the monastery remains unexcavated beneath the surrounding village.
Conservation Status
Partially preserved. The excavated portions are exposed and require ongoing protection from weathering and environmental damage. A significant portion of the monastery remains unexcavated beneath the surrounding village, which presents both preservation challenges and opportunities for future archaeological work.
Archaeological Survey
Surveyed By
British Archaeologists (1873), Professor Asok Datta - University of Calcutta (2002-2003), West Bengal State Archaeology Department (2013)
Survey Date
1873, 2002-2003, 2013
Featured Images
Citation References
No references recorded. Add citations to strengthen verification.
Excavation Details
The first major excavation was conducted in 2002-03 by Professor Asok Datta from the University of Calcutta, which uncovered the main monastic complex. The excavation revealed a triratha-type structure, three stupas measuring 2.80m, 2m, and 1.25m in diameter, and extensive stucco decorations. The fourth phase of excavation revealed a brick gateway at the northern part of the monastery with two pillars featuring a purnaghata (water urn) carving. The fifth phase of excavation in 2013 by the West Bengal State Archaeology Department exposed the massive southern part of the monastery and its southern wall with stucco and lime plaster designs including floral motifs, figures of devotees, and the bodhi tree. Five additional small stupas were discovered in another location, indicating the presence of a main stupa nearby. Artifacts discovered include terracotta tablets, seals, coins (including 200 ancient cowries imported from the Maldives), bronze statuettes, stucco figurines, and ornaments. A small museum adjacent to the excavation site houses these artifacts.
Restoration Work
Limited restoration work has been conducted to stabilize exposed structures. The site has been partially covered and protected, and a museum has been established to house artifacts. Ongoing conservation efforts focus on protecting exposed brick structures from weathering and environmental damage.
Patronage
Traders who benefited from the routes established by Buddhists
Construction Technique
The construction of Moghalmari Monastery in the 6th Century CE relied heavily on skilled brick masonry. Builders meticulously laid locally sourced bricks in precise courses, employing a robust mortar of lime, sand, and mud to bind them. This sequential layering created thick, load-bearing walls. Scaffolding, likely bamboo or timber, facilitated vertical progress. Artisans then applied a stucco finish, a mixture of lime, sand, and mud, over the brickwork. This stucco served both as a protective layer against the elements and a canvas for decorative elements, a common practice in Post-Gupta Bengal, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic refinement through traditional methods.
Architectural Influences
Vajrayana Buddhist Style, Post-Gupta Period Architecture, Triratha Architecture, Buddhist Monastery Design, Tantric Buddhist Motifs, Gupta Period Influences
Building Techniques
Moghalmari showcases sophisticated building techniques characteristic of Post-Gupta Bengal and early Nagara influences. The Triratha architectural style is evident in the wall articulation, where projections create a dynamic facade, a precursor to later temple forms. Builders employed corbelling techniques for openings and potentially for internal vaulting, a common method for spanning spaces in brick architecture without true arches. The application of stucco was not merely cosmetic; it provided a smooth, durable surface, allowing for intricate sculptural and painted ornamentation, reflecting the Vajrayana Buddhist aesthetic and the period's advanced material finishing practices.
Coordinates
21.992598, 87.296261
Accessibility Info
5 items
Visitor Facilities
3 items
Best Visit Times
October to March: Pleasant weather (15-25°C) ideal for exploring the open-air archaeological site. Early mornings are recommended for cooler temperatures and a more peaceful experience.
Seasonal Events
3 items
Visitor Restrictions
["Visitors are requested to maintain cleanliness and not litter the archaeological site.","Respect the historical significance of the ruins; do not deface, climb on, or damage any structures.","Photography for personal use is generally permitted, but commercial photography or use of tripods may require special permission from the ASI.","Modest dressing is advisable when visiting any historical or religious site in India.","Consumption of food and beverages is generally restricted to designated areas, if available, to preserve the site's integrity."]
View Count
1374
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
in-progress
Created By
b609c300-e3e9-42af-8d00-5125af139175
Created At
2025-11-17T06:38:13.238046+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-21T10:42:24.51649+00:00
Related Heritage Sites
What is Moghalmari Monastery?
Moghalmari Monastery is a historic Monastery located in West Bengal, India. This Vajrayana Buddhist architecture style, Post-Gupta Bengal architecture style, Triratha architecture style, Nagara architecture style architectural masterpiece was built during the Post Gupta Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of India. I visited the site on a very sunny summer afternoon. The ruins, despite being beautiful, were devoid of any other admirers. We were the only people around. There were layers upon layers of brick maze ...
Category:
MonasteryLocation:
Dantan (721451), Medinipur Division, West Bengal, India, West BengalPeriod:
Post Gupta PeriodStyle:
Vajrayana Buddhist architecture style, Post-Gupta Bengal architecture style, Triratha architecture style, Nagara architecture styleArchitectural Features