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A Report on Heritage Site: Somapura Mahavira by Mahjabeen Siddique

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A Report on Heritage Site: Somapura Mahavira by Mahjabeen Siddique A Report on Heritage Site: Somapura Mahavira By Mahjabeen Siddique Introduction Bangladesh is a land filled with rich history, culture and antiquities. It has beautiful monuments and historical places that have been cherished and preserved for centuries. Among many, one iconic historical place is Somapura Mahavira located in Paharpur The marvelous structure attracts tourists from around the world and is a peak into the pages of history. Background of the Site: Somapura Mahavira, Paharpur Somapura Mahavira was a monastic institution and it was one of the biggest and most famous ones in ancient Bengal. The complex that was excavated at Paharpur is the monastic institution now known as Somapura Mahavira which was built by Dharmapala the second Pala King. In 1985 the Somapura Mahavira was enlisted as a Unesco Heritage Site. Collected From: Brittanica Situation Analysis Multiple internal and external factors affect the 60 Dome Mosque. They are given below, Environment of the Site The Somapura Mahavira is situated in the beautiful countryside. The local people in this rural setting often visit this place. Various students and tourists from around the world come to visit the central shrine that represents medieval architecture Cleanliness and Locality The site of the Somapura Mahavira is kept clean and the local people also make sure that the place stays clean. As for the locality, the total population of Naogaon district is around 25 lac. It has a literacy rate of 44.39% and most of the people’s occupation here is related to agriculture The total population of the area is about 25 lac, and most of the people of the district are farmers. The literacy rate is 44.39% Collected From: Elebase Preservation of the Site The local office of Somapura Mahavira supervises the entire complex, central shrine and everything in the perimeter of the area. The protection of the area falls under the Antiquities Act of 1968, Conservation manual of 1922, Immovable Antiquities Act and the Archaeological Works Code of 1938. The Department of Archaeology manages and conserves this World Heritage property and several other monuments present in the vicinity. The Depart of Archaeology also provides a regional director to supervise site management. Current Situation Despite plenty of conservation methods and attempts, the site is prone to various risks. A few of the main problems are Algae and salinity. During the year 2019, the temple walls were covered in black algae. And due to salinity beneath the complex and exposition to open-air the terracotta plaques, pavements and wooden staircases have been damaged. This is why authorities even restricted the visitors from visiting the main temple. Now the visitors have to use pavements and broken stairs to enter the site. Collected From: Dhaka Tribune Fund constraint, lack of proper maintenance, heavy rainfalls, poor water drainage, shortage of manpower and salinity has caused the terracotta sculptures to decay. Although there were a few renovation projects undertaken they were not sufficient to preserve the value of the site. Financial Situation of the Locale Naogaon district is considered the center of the Borendra Region. The land of Naogaon is very fertile and suitable for agriculture. This is why plenty of crops like paddy, wheat, jute, sugar cane, maize, pulses, potatoes, seeds, oil, and garlic. Naogaon also has the most number of rice processing mills in Bangladesh. The rich agriculture has made the district financially stable. Scope for Betterment and Improvement There are many risks present in the Somapura Mahavira. Aside from salinity, there are also risks of uncontrolled vegetation, climate conditions, vandalism, encroachment and public trespassing. The place needs to be monitored more strictly and there need to be strict management systems for the preservation of the compound. The Department of Archaeology also has to take care of the salinity of soil to better preserve the terracotta structures. Conclusion Somapura Mahavira is a cherished historical place and a valuable heritage site. These sites and structures have withstood the test of time and represent the ancient Bengal civilization. To make sure these structures can attract more tourists and remain in their true forms, proper measures for conservation, protection and renovation should be taken. Reference 1. Somapura Mahavihara - Wikipedia. (2021). Retrieved 30 March 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somapura_Mahavihara\ 2. Somapura Mahavihara - Banglapedia. (2021). Retrieved 30 March 2021, from http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Somapura_Mahavihara 3. Centre, U. (2021). Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur. Retrieved 30 March 2021, from https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/322/ 4. News, T. (2021). Despite conservation efforts, Somapura Mahavihara losing its shine. Retrieved 30 March 2021, from https://www.thedailystar.net/top-news/news/despite-conservation-efforts-somapura-maha vihara-losing-its-shine-1939493.
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