Famous Buddhist Sites in Pakistan

Takht-i-bahi

Takht means “throne” and bahi, “water” or “spring” in Persian/urdu. The monastic complex was called Takht-i-bahi because it was built atop a hill and also adjacent to a stream. Located 80 kilometers from Peshawar and 16 kilometers Northwest of the city of Mardan, Takht-i-bahi was unearthed in early 20th century and in 1980. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as the largest Buddhist remains in Gandhara.

Taxila

The modern town of Taxila is 35 km from Islamabad. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to

500 AD) are located around Taxila Museum. For over one thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory.

There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila. Some of the most important sites are; Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC - 200 AD), Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC - 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and Jaulian Monastery (200 - 600 AD).

Zar Dheri (Gold Mound), Hazara

It is a large monastic complex on the old Silk Route some 26 km from Mansehra (Hazara). It is located on a hillock which was in visual contact with other hill retreats in the area. The complex had a monastery and a stupa resembling Jaulian. There are two caves-cum-tunnels which were possibly used for meditation. It was a fortified place, with bastions and a protective wall made of diaper masonry. It was later used as a citadel. It yielded more than one hundred stone sculptures and architectural panels besides other artifacts.