Shalbon Vihara, Cumilla-One Mile Travel

The Shalbon Behar is situated at Kotbari , Moynamoti , in Cumilla with an area of 37 akres. It was built  at the last of 7th  century. Hundreds  of  tourists  flock visit here everyday to see this  amazing  beauty of the eighth century  heritage site.  The number of the visitor increased in Winter.  

 Once it was known  as  Rajar bari ( Palace of a king ) but after  excavation  in 1995 , the land unveiled a design of a Buddhist  Monastery  spread over an area of 550 feet . It has 115 rooms for the Buddhist  monk .Once upon  a time  this place was a dense forest of  Shal and Gajari tree , that's  why  it is called  Shalbon Behar . It is one of the  most ancient place in Bangladesh. 

History  behind it :

The Monastery  was built  by Sri Bhavadev, the fourth king of the Dev dynasty, in the 8th century  AD. During  that time the name of this place was Bhavadeva Mahavihara.

A remnant building  was found while constructing a road in 1875 .  People  thought that it was a part of a ancient Fort. In 1916 the principle  of the Dhaka University  Museum Nolini Kanto Vottashali named it Pottikera Nogor after his  research. The 6  archaeological structure  was constructed  and reconstructed   many times . The central  temple and the whole Behar was reformed for the third time at 8th century.  Then it was reformed  in 9th  century  for the fifth  time .

What you can see there ?

The Shalbon  Monastery  is rectangular  in shape, with a length of 16.6 meters on each side. The walls of the monetary around it are 5 meters thick and the rooms of the Monastery  are built on the back  with the surrounding  walls.  In the middle of the  northern side there is an aesthetic  and artistic entrance. 9 small temples and 6 piles were found there. A well made bricks and clay is situated  here as sign of ancient  civilization. The total number of the rooms in Bbihar is 155 and the central temple can be identified  right in the middle. These rooms were used by the Buddhist  monk for practising religion. The front porch of the room  has a verandah and the walls at the end. On the walls of each room there are three niches 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 feeding  the monks. Archaeological excavations at various times have unearthed about 400 gold and silver coins, bronze and earthenware statues, eight copperplate inscriptions,  seals and numerous burnt clay tablets or terracotta  from Shalbon  Buddhist  Monastery. The lion share of these specimens are being  displayed  in the Mainamoti  Museum.Moreover,  The whole area of the Behar  is full of different  flowers like - Cosmos, Selvia, Rose, Calendula etc.

You can see there many things along with  Shalbon Behar  around  Kotbari.  Some of these  are Rupban, Mura,Kotalimura,Itakholamura, Anondobihar, Vojbihar, Ranir Banglo, Mainamoti War Semetry , Lalmai Hill, Dhrmo sagor, Magic Paradise  Park tc.

You can taste  here the world  famous  Rosmalai (a kind of sweet). To eat this famous  sweet  you need to go to Monohorpur Kali bari. From Kotbari  to Paduar Bazar , then by Kandirpar  to Kali Bari. There you will get the real  sweet at the   shop  named" Matrivanddar ". The shop is famous  for their historical  taste  of their  sweet. So, if you have time don't  miss the chance of tasting  the sweet. 

How to go to Shalbon  Behar:

To go to Shalbon  Behar  from Dhaka  you need only  hour  and 30 minutes by bus. There are numerous  bus services  from different area of Dhaka to Dhaka Cumilla  route.  You can go to Cumilla  by bus of your choice. From Syedabad Bus Terminal  in Dhaka and from Kamalapur to Upokul (01981-002932), Tina ( 01731 217322), Star line, BRTC (01770-493775), Royal,  Asia Line transport  to Cumilla  etc. You need 220 to 350 tk for bus fair per person. 

You can come here by train too. Almost all  Chittagong  bound train stops at  Cumilla  Station, except  Subarna and Sonar  Bangla. The  fair will be 180 to 46 tk per person. 

From Chittagong to Cumilla  you can choose  Saudia and Prince bus. You can come by Dhaka bound train and get off at Cumilla  Station. You can reach Cumilla  faster by bus than Dhaka bound train.

 
 From Cumilla  to Shalbon Behar: 

Get of at Cumilla  and come to Kandirpar first. There is a local CNG stand for Kotbari  near Kandirpar Awami League office.  You can go to Kotbari  for 30  tk per person and you can take  CNG reserve to go to Kotbari  from anywhere  in Cumilla  city . The fair will be 150 tk if the CNG reserve taken.

Note: By bus your journey  will be  more  easier. 

Timetable:

The Monastery  and the Mainamoti  museum remain close in Sunday and on public  holiday. In Monday  it remain half day close.

Winter Timetable: 

 For the mont of October  to March :

• Tuesday  to Saturday  it is open from 10 am to 6 pm. ( 1pm to 1.30 launch  break -  off time).
• In Friday it is open  from 10 am to 12.30 pm . Then 2.30 to 6 pm .
• In Monday  it remain open from 2.30 pm (at noon) to 5 pm .

Entry fee: 

• For Bangladeshi  people  it is only 20 tk.
• 100 tk for the membering  country  of SAARC .
• For the foreigner it is 200 tk.

Where to stay ?

Cumilla  Town has several good quality  residential hotels including  Cumilla  Club, Cumilla City  Club. Youncan spend the night  in these hotels for 1000 to 3000 tk. Besides,  among the medium  quantity  hotels,  Hotel  Chandrima, Hotel Shalban, Hotel Abedin , Hotel Sonali , Hotel Nadirabagh, Ashiq  Rest House,  Hotel Nujahan are notable.  You can rent these hotels  for 200 to 600 tk. 

Where to eat at Shalbon  Behar: 

There are different  quality  hotels and restaurants  in Cumilla  . so, you can enter any restaurant where you feel good. You can taste the real RASMAILAI Of Manoharpur Kali Bari at "Matrivanddar ".