Nalanda |
Nalanda is a vast ancient ruin which was probably founded by the Gupta Emper or Kumaragupta (c.AD. 413-55). It was one of the greatest universities of ancient times and a famous centre of Oriental art and learning. Among the thousands of scholars and priests who studied and taught here was the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, who stayed here for five years |
|
| from A.D. 637 to 642, by which
time Nalanda had become a celebrated centre of Buddhist learning where some 10,000
students and monks from various parts of India, China, Japan, Mongolia, Korea, Tibet and
Ceylon resided. The University of Nalanda was patronised by, among others, Kings
Harshavardhana of Kanauj (c. A.D. 606-47), and later by the Pala Kings of Eastern India.
Those who built monasteries at Nalanda included the 9th century King Balaputradeva of
Swarnadirpa (Sumatra). ACCESS Patna, 90 km away is the nearest airport and at Nalanda is a railway station. Taxis and buses available from Patna. PLACES OF INTEREST The highest and principal monument at Nalanda is the Great Stupa, a huge magnificent Buddhist Chaitya which has been successively over-built seven times since the 4th century A.D. when the original Chaitya was first built. It contains numerous stucco figures of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas in the Gupta Style. |
