Nalanda University Ruins Part 2

Excavations conducted by ASI between 1915-1937 and 1974-82 have exposed extensive remains of six brick temples and eleven monasteries arranged in a systematic layout and spread over over an area of over one Square Kilometre.Basically a 30 meter passage runs Noth-South with a row of Temples on the West and Monasteries on the east.

The excavations did not unearth the main entrance - hence an opening was created through a wall

Meditation Platforms - above & below

Entrance to one of the monasteries - Row of hostel rooms for students and larger rooms for the faculty. There had excellent drainage system. Bathrooms were common.

Shelf for keeping books

Nice at the room entrance for keeping lamp.

Ventilation apertures near the ceiling

Common Prayer Room. Statue of Buddha which was once installed here stands destroyed & the prayer room burnt down - above and below.

A lecture platform - Teaching was in an open air rectangular courtyard - Above & Below

A fire place was lit during lectures - to carry out experiments as well to keep the place warm during winter. Also used to cook and provide food to students.

An Octagonal shaped open well - to provide water

A second monastery with rectangular court yard and lecture platform with hostel rooms all around.

Above - Large Granary to store food & Below - The most imposing structure is Temple No.3 at the Southern Extremity which was constructed in 7 phases. It is surrounded by a number of votive stupas and minor shrines