Mohra Muradu

The main stupa in Mohra Muradu, Taxila , Pakistan

Mohra Muradu ( Urdu : موہرا مرادو) are the ruins of two ancient Buddhist stupas and a monastery in the Pakistani province of Punjab . Together with the neighboring sites of Taxila and Jaulian it belongs since 1980 to UNESCO - World Heritage Site .

location

The monastery is located in a valley in the middle of high mountains. The monks could meditate here in peace. Since the then city of Sirsukh was only 1.5 kilometers away, they could beg there. Today's major cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad are located about 35 and 45 km to the southeast.

history

The building complex was built in the 2nd century AD and completely renovated in the 5th century; therefore it is counted in Kushan time. Mohra Muradu was first excavated by Abdul Qadir under the direction of Sir John Marshall in 1914–1915.

Stupa

The main stupa had a round floor plan and stood on a 4.75 m high square platform ( medhi ) - the outer walls of both parts were restored. The smaller votive stupa is immediately behind it.

monastery

The monastery contained 27 rooms for the monks and their teachers. These rooms are built around a large central courtyard with a pond. The square pond was used for ritual ablutions and was around 50 centimeters deep. There were steps to the water on all sides of the pond. The monastery contained a kitchen and a well that still works today. Rainwater was channeled from the roof of the monastery into the pond via wooden structures. Statues of Buddha can be found in the courtyard and in the student rooms. A hall for meetings of the monks is in one corner of the monastery.

The monastery was probably two-story. Stairs from one of the rooms went to the upper floor and are well preserved. Additional possibilities to get to the upper floor were given by wooden constructions in the courtyard. However, the strength of the walls has led to the assumption that a third floor may have been present.

monument

A memorial stupa about 4 m high was found in one of the rooms. It was probably dedicated to the memory of one of the honored teachers who lived in this room. The screens of the monument were colored.