Ancient Nalanda University: History of The Building

Ancient Nalanda University
History of the Building

Nalanda is an ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India from 427 to 1197.
Nalanda was established in the 5th century AD in Bihar, India. Founded in 427
in northeastern India, not far from what is today the southern border of Nepal, it
survived until 1197. It was devoted to Buddhist studies, but it also trained
students in fine arts, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, politics and the art of
war.
It was in the 1860's that the great archeologist Alexander Cunningham identified
the site as the Nalanda University and in 1915-1916 the Archeological Survey
of India began excavations of the site. What has been excavated to date is only a
small part of the entire site but much of the ruins are beneath existing villages
and are unlikely to be revealed. The present site is well-maintained and very
pleasant to visit. Across the street is the small museum with some excellent
Buddhist statues and about a kilometer away is a temple dedicated to Hsuan
Tsang. Nearby are the International Centre for Buddhist Studies and the Nava
Nalanda Mahivihara, set up for the research of Buddhism.
Site Landscape
The center had eight separate compounds, 10 temples, meditation halls,

classrooms, lakes and parks. It had a nine-story library where monks
meticulously copied books and documents so that individual scholars could
have their own collections. It had dormitories for students, perhaps a first for an
educational institution, housing 10,000 students in the university’s heyday and
providing accommodations for 2,000 professors. Nalanda University attracted
pupils and scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and
Turkey.
The site has a number of small monasteries where the monks lived and studied
and many of them were rebuilt over the centuries. We were told that one of the
cells belonged to Naropa, who was instrumental in bringing Buddism to Tibet,
along with such Nalanda luminaries as Shantirakshita and Padmasambhava. A
small opening in the cell revealed a tiny room where Naropa supposedly
meditated.
Naropa's cell and entrance
to meditation cell
part of the ancient university Scriptura’s stupa
detail of Sariputra's
stupa
unearthed the museum at
ruins Nalanda
statue of Hsuan Tsang
Architecture
The Principal Stupa, 4 Chaityas, 11 Viharas and other stupas and shrines comes
under the protection of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The buildings are
organized in two ways, in the first type of arrangement, the Viharas are organized
around the main Stupa, which did not permit expansion. In the other type of
arrangement, Viharas are organized in a linear manner on the north-south axis,
which would allow for expansion of the Viharas. A Stupa is a crucial part of their
religion, there are two types of Stupas: Relic and Votive. There is a single relic
stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE, to consecrate the bodily
remains of Sariputta. Chaityas are sanctified religious entity, there are two types:
Panchayatan chaitya and Crucifrom chaitya. Viharas are residential-cum-
educational buildings. There are 11 Viharas excavated in Nalanda Mahavihara.
Many statues and art have been excavated from the site, made of copper, bronze,
stones. There are many statues with different positions and meanings
corresponding to each posture: Vajraparyanka attitude signifies meditation,
Ardhaparyanka and Lalitasana signifies serenity, Alidha signifies heroism,
Fratyalidha signifies destruction and loathsomeness and dancing attitude in
Ardhaparyanka signifies wrath and horror.
Most of the art discovered are known as Pala art due to them bearing names of
Pala kings. But the arts can also be labelled as “Nalanda art” due to its origin from
the religions that thrived in Nalanda. Carvings and arts at Nalanda are highly
detailed and relief due to black basalt rocks used. None of the repaired stupa
number 3 is in complete state, therefore it is difficult to ascertain what type of top
it had, whether they resembled the shape of the ones at Sanchi or the ones at
Saranath. Stupa number 3 contains numerous niches and stairs that leads to the
highest level on the stupa. Stupas at the northern extremity have square base, &
rise cylindrically, other rest on square bases, then rise in a straight rectangular
fashion but tapers to form a cylindrical in the middle. All stupas are beautifully
decorated with figures of Buddha, Swalokitevara and the arched niches also
contains figures of Buddha. In the monastery buildings, only some details of
constructions are visible, majority of the monasteries buildings are rectangular
with cells and verandahs. Bricks used are quite large at 15" X 10" X 3", as
compared to current day bricks. The time period of these monasteries is linked to
the later Gupta period due to similarities in the size and shapes of the bricks.
Hardly any plaster is visible on the joints.
Intangible Cultural heritage of Nalanda
Costumes and Handicrafts in Nalanda

The traditional attire for men includes dhoti, kurta and kharaun-wooden
sandals. However, nowadays men prefer to dress themselves in shirts and pants.
This change may be attributed to the influence of increasing in number of tourists
visiting this place. Nalanda is also famous for low cost handicrafts. The minute
handiwork of Bihari designers is displayed in their handicrafts and embroidery.
Handicrafts and gifts symbolizing the Bihari tradition are very popular among the
tourists.
Especially, those gifts, pottery and art pieces that are made of sandalwood and
marble, items made from stones and sea-shells are in great demand in Nalanda.
One can even get very good Stone Sculptures and bowls in and around the region.
Madhubani paintings and hand-painted wall-hangings are also quite famous
Festivals in Nalanda
A unique feature of Nalanda region is the Chatth Puja-the worship of Sun God.
The most famous one is at the Sun temple in Baragaon near Nalanda, where new
paddy, sweets, and fruits are offered in worship. It is celebrated in the month
of Vaishakha (April-May) and in Kartika (October - November). Buddh Purnima
is yet another famous fetivals in Nalanda. It is believed that Lord Buddha was
born attained enlightenment and attained nirvana all on the same full moon day of
April/May. Thus, Baisakhi Purnima is celebrated as Buddha Jayanti.
Also, many other festivals like Gajalakshni Puja, Makar Sankrathi, Holi, Dussehra

etc are celebrated with great zeal and gusto in this region.The Rajgir Dance
Festival organised every year, generally in the month of October by the Bihar
State Tourism Depatment attracts a huge number of visitors from far and wide.
Art & Craft
Pala also called Pala-Sena art or Eastern Indian art, artistic style that flourished in
what are now the states of Bihar and West Bengal, India.
Named for the dynasty that ruled the region from the 8th to the 12th century CE,
Pala style was transmitted chiefly by means of bronze sculptures and palm-leaf
paintings, celebrating the Buddha and other divinities.
Wooden Inlay
Bihar has had a rich history of wood craft that includes manufacturing of wooden
toys and furniture. The wooden artefacts are known for their artistic beauty and
durability. The wood carving and inlay work is done on items like wall plaques,
table tops and pens where articles made of wood are inlaid with different materials
like metal, ivory, stag horn and chips of different wood.
Small shops selling wooden inlay items can be easily seen in Nalanda and other
parts of Bihar. This traditional craft was even practiced in the days of Mauryan
emperor, Ashoka (322-187 BCE).
Stone Crafts
One of the most popular items that tourists visiting Nalanda take back with them
are beautiful stone-based Lord Buddha souvenirs. Bihar's traditional craft exhibits
Buddhist tradition and most of the stone craft deals with Lord Buddha and his
preachings. The tradition of carving beautiful sculptures from stones dates back to
the ancient eras.
Sikki Work
Sikki work involves making beautiful decorative objects and toys with a particular
kind of grass known as sikki. This art is usually practiced by women who use
riverside weed to create various items by stitching the grass to make various
shapes like that of elephants, birds, snakes and tortoise. Once the grass is stitched
in a particular shape, the women paint the toys with dazzling colours to enhance
their visual appeal. The art is carried out on a large scale in areas like Madhubani,
Darbhanga and Sitamarhi in Bihar.
Silao
The Silao khaja is a traditional delicacy of Nalanda that has also received the
Geographical Indications tag. Silao khaja is known for its taste, crispness and
multi-layered texture, which is due to the climatic conditions and water of Silao.
The delicious sweet has twelve to sixteen very thin dough sheets placed over each
other. It is made from wheat flour, maida, sugar, ghee, cardamom and aniseeds.
According to a popular belief, Lord Buddha was served silao khaja by locals of
Silao, when he was travelling from Rajgir to Nalanda.
Source:
 https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredible-india-
v2/en/destinations/nalanda/food-and-cuisine.html
 https://www.nalandaonline.in/city-guide/culture-of-nalanda
 https://www.aicte-india.org/downloads/ancient
 https://indianculture.gov.in/rarebooks/university-nalanda
 Hasmukh D Snagalia

Ancient Nalanda University: History of The Building

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Ancient Nalanda University: History of The Building

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Ancient Nalanda University

History of the Building

The center had eight separate compounds, 10 temples, meditation halls,

Intangible Cultural heritage of Nalanda

Costumes and Handicrafts in Nalanda

Also, many other festivals like Gajalakshni Puja, Makar Sankrathi, Holi, Dussehra

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