Shalbon Bihar Comilla

Shalbon Buddha Bihar is located in Kotbari of Comilla district, which is well known as one of the monuments of ancient civilization of Bangladesh. At that time the Bihar came to be known as Shalban Vihar as there were forests of Sal and Ghazari in this area. Shalban Vihara is similar to Paharpur Buddhist Vihara but slightly smaller than Paharpur Buddhist Vihara in terms of size. In Kotbari area in 1875, during the construction of a road, the ruins of a building were witnessed by all. It was then thought to be a part of the ancient fort. In 1917, the director of Dhaka Museum, Nalini Kant Bhattasali observed the Shalban Buddhist Vihara and opined that it is Pattikera Nagar. However, it is believed that this temple was built by Sribhavadeva, the fourth king of the Deva Dynasty, at the end of the 7th century. Six structures of Shalban Vihar are known to have been constructed and rebuilt at different times. It is believed that by the 8th century, the construction of the central temple for the 3rd time and the overall renovation of Bihar took place. The Vihar was renovated for the 4th and 5th times in the 8th and 9th centuries respectively.

The Shalban Vihar is rectangular in shape with each side measuring 167.7 meters. The walls of the Vihar are about five meters thick and the rooms of the Vihar are built back to the surrounding walls. A door to enter Bihar can be seen which is located in the middle of the north block. The total number of rooms in Bihar is 155 and the central temple can be identified right in the middle. It is believed that Buddhist monks lived and practiced in these rooms. At the front of the room there is a balcony and a wall at the end. Each room has three niches in the walls for holding idols or oil lamps. On the other side is a hall built on four huge pillars. It is believed that this hall was used for the meals of the monks. About 400 gold and silver coins, bronze and clay idols, eight copperplate inscriptions, seals, numerous burnt clay plaques or terracotta have been recovered from Shalban Buddhist Vihara during archaeological excavations. Majority of these artefacts are displayed in Mainamati Museum.

It takes only 2 hours and 30 minutes to go to Comilla from Dhaka by road i.e. by bus . There are numerous bus services on Dhaka Comilla route from different places of Dhaka. You can come to Comilla by bus as per your choice. From Dhaka's Syedabad Bus Terminal and Kamalapur to Kusht ( 01981-002932 , 01981-002942 ), Tisha ( 01731-217322 ), Star Line, BRTC ( 01770-493775 ), Royal, Asia Line Paribahan to Comilla costs Tk 250 to Tk 400 per person. .

Besides, you can easily come to Comilla by train from Dhaka. Almost all Chittagong bound trains (except Subarna and Sonar Bangla) stop at Comilla station. Fare per person from Dhaka to Comilla is Tk 170-702.

You can choose Prince or Saudia bus to come from Chittagong to Comilla. Or you can come by any Dhaka bound bus, you have to get down at Comilla. You can reach Comilla faster than taking a bus to Dhaka by train. Or you have to come to Comilla by your convenient vehicle from any other part of the country.

Comilla to Buddhist Vihar : After coming down from Comilla, first come to Kandirpar. There is a local CNG stand to Kotbari near Kandirpar Awami League office. You can go to Kotbari for a fare of 30 taka per person. And you can take CNG reserve to Kotbari from anywhere in Comilla city. Taking CNG reserve will cost Tk 150. Go to Shalbon Vihar from Kotbari by auto rickshaw for a fare of 10 taka. Again from Comilla you can come to Shalban Bihar via Kotbari Bishwaroad by local CNG. In this case, the rent will be 20 rupees per person. Shalban Vihar, Buddhist Temple, Mainamati Museum are located nearby.

Note: If you are coming to Comilla by bus and if the bus goes to Kotbari then Kotbari bus stand will be the closest to Shalbon Bihar.

Shalbon Vihar and Mainamati Museums are closed every week on Sundays and public holidays and half day on Mondays.

Winter Schedule (October – March):

Summer Schedule (April – September):

Any Bangladeshi has to pay a ticket of 20 rupees to enter Shalbon Bihar. Students up to class 10 get entry to Shalbon Vihar for Rs.5. The entry fee is Rs 100 for tourists from SAARC countries and Rs 200 for all other foreign tourists.

Next to Shalvan Vihar are Mainamati Museum and New Shalvan Buddhist Vihar. Kotbari has Rupban Mura, Itakhola Mura, Anand Vihar. Apart from that, you can also visit Bard, Magic Paradise Park, Mainamati War Cemetery, Lalmai Pahar, Dharma Sagar Dighi and many other places. And if you have the chance, you must taste the famous Rasmalai of Manoharpur.

If you want to eat rasmalai from Comilla's famous original mother store, you have to go to Manoharpur Kali Bari. Kotbari to Padua Bazar (fare 15 taka per person), from there via Kandirpar to Manoharpur Kali Bari (rickshaw fare 30 taka). On the other side of the Kali Bari temple you will find the only real Matrabhandar shop.

Comilla city has several good quality residential hotels including Comilla Club, Comilla City Club. You can stay overnight in these hotels for 1000 to 3000 taka. Besides, among the medium quality hotels, Hotel Chandrima, Hotel Shalbon, Hotel Abedin, Hotel Sonali, Hotel Nidrabagh, Ashiq Rest House, Hotel Nurjahan are notable. You can stay in these hotels for rent from 200 to 600 taka.

There are different quality hotels/restaurants in Comilla so you can enter any restaurant according to your needs. You can taste the real taste of rasmalai from Manoharpur Kali Bari Matri Bhandar.

Apart from Mainamati War Cemetery you can visit Shalbon Vihar , Mainamati Archaeological Museum, Lalmai Hill, Blue-water Park (picnic spot).