Moinamoti (Môynamoti) is an isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted with more than 50 ancient
Buddhistsettlements dating between the 8th and 12th century
CE. It was part of the ancient
Samatata division of
Bengal. It extends through the centre of the district of
Comilla in
Bangladesh. Moinamoti is located almost 8 miles from the city of
Comilla. It is the home of one of the most important
Buddhistarchaeological sites in the region.
Comilla Cantonment is located nearby and houses a beautiful colonial era
cemetery.[1] Mainamati is named for the
Chandra queen of the same name, mother of
Govindachandra. Mainamati is 114 kilometers from
Dhaka city through National Highway 1 and is nearly 162 kilometers from
Chittagong. Also, there is a Buddhist temple beside it.
Shalban Vihara: The centre piece of the Buddhist sites at Mainamati is the
Shalban vihara, almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill range consists of 115 cells, built around a spacious courtyard with a
cruciform temple in the centre, facing its only gateway complex to the north, resembling that of the
Sompur Bihara. It is clearly a Vihara, or an educational centre with residential facilities.
Kutila Mura: Situated on a flattened hillock, about 5 km north of Shalban Vihara inside the
Comilla Cantonment is a picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here, three
stupas are found side by side representing the Buddhist "Trinity" or three jewels, i.e. the
Buddha,
Dharma and
Sangha.
Charpatra Mura: This is an isolated small oblong shrine situated about 2.5 km. north-west of Kotila Mura stupas. The only approach to the shrine is from the east through a gateway, which leads to a spacious hall. A number of shrines can be found here.
Ananda Rajer Badi
Mainamati Ranir Badi: The Mainamati site Museum, situated next to Shavian Vihara, houses a good collection of artifacts found at these sites. The Museum has a rich and varied collection of copper plates, gold and silver coins and 86 bronze objects. Over 150 bronze statues have been recovered mostly from the monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures and hundreds of terracotta plaques each measuring on an average of 9" high and 8" to 12" wide.