Moghalmari, located in Paschim Midnapur District of West Bengal, is both historically and archeologically significant. Professor Asok Datta of Calcutta University started an excavation on this site around 2002-2003, which revealed a monastery; the monastery dates between 6th to 12th century. That monastery is known as Moghalmari Buddhist Monastery, which is also popular as Dantapur Buddhist Monastery. The name of this monastery has also been found in the travel journal of the famous Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar Xuanzang. The archaeological site of Mogalmari was located on the left bank of Subarnarekha River, which now flows about 4.5 km west of Moghalmari.
Structure of Moghalmari Monastery
The monastery has been excavated from a huge mound, which is 20 meters above the ground and has a surface area of 80 sq meters. The monastery complex measures 60 meters by 60 meters, which is the largest till now discovered in West Bengal. A Pradakshina path, for the devotees to tour around the monastery complex, has also been discovered.
Architecture of Moghalmari Monastery
According to the archaeologists, a variety of designs in stucco (lime and gypsum mixed with sand (typical of early Buddhist monastic sites) on the walls of the structures within the complex have been found.
Sculptures in Moghalmari Monastery
From the site of Moghalmari Monastery, 12 Buddha statues have been found during the excavation period. The names of three statues have been found- the statue in the pose of Hindu Goddess Saraswati with Veena, a musical instrument in hands and tangled by snakes named `Janguli`; the statue in a sitting position with a lotus in hand named `Abalokiteswar` and the garlanded statue named `Lokeswar`. There are also other ninne statues found from Moghalmari Monastery having the height of 42 centimeters each.
Visiting Information to Moghalmari Monastery
The village Moghalmari is situated near Dantan police station. The village is about 5.2 km north of Dantan railway station and 46 kilometers south of Kharagpur railway station and 2 km south of Nekurseni railway station on National Highway 60.
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