Sitarkot Buddhist monastery

The Sitarkot Buddhist Monastery

The Sitarkot Buddhist Monastery is a Historical Monument of Dinajpur

There are several historical places and monuments in different unions of Nawabganj Upazila of Dinajpur. The Sitarkot Buddhist monastery is one of them.


There are also myths about Rama's wife Sita around this pattern. Sita was housed in the deep forest of Panchabati and was made to live in a hut known as Sita Kot. 

In fact, this monastery has nothing to do with Sita. After partial excavations in 1968 and 1972, it was found to be an ancient Buddhist monastery. A team of archaeologists has reached the same conclusion.

It is known that the emperor & nbsp; During the reign of Ashoka, had 84,000 stupa pillars in his kingdom. From that time till the 6th century, many Buddhist institutions were established in North Bengal. 

One of which was the Sitarkot Buddhist monastery discussed.

The Sitarkot Buddhist Monastery 

The monastery is located on about 1 acre of land in Fatehpur Marash Mouza of Golapganj Union on the north side of the road leading to Birampur from the Sadar of Nawabganj Upazila. 

Sitarkot Buddhist Monastery, a historical monument in Nawabganj of Dinajpur, has witnessed the times. It is located in Fatehpur Marash Mouza adjacent to Nawabganj National Park.

Every day thousands of tourists and students come from far and wide to see the monastery. It is rumored that Rama's wife Sita was given a cottage in the deep forest of Panchabati for her stay. Sitarkot is the cell that the local Hindus claim.

However, the monastery is becoming unattractive as it has not been renovated. Upazila Parishad Chairman. Ataur Rahman said that initiatives will be taken to renovate Sitarkot Bihar and enhance its beauty.

According to the information received, this monastery is 214 feet long in the east-west and 212 feet wide in the north-south.


There are 41 small and big rooms without toilets. The perimeter wall is 6 and a half feet wide, the front wall is 5 feet wide, the verandah is 6 feet wide and the front wall of the verandah is 5 feet wide. 

The entrance to the room is 3 to 5 feet wide. The main entrance is on the north side.

There are 4 rooms on each side of the entrance. 4 types of petition wall width. 13 feet 5 feet and 4 feet. Inside the monastery was a well on the southeast side. The well is now full.

Outside Bihar, five adjoining cottages can be seen on the east-south side. These were probably used as toilets. The main temple was in the middle of the south.

Apart from the front wall of each room, there were niches in the other 3 walls. There is only one way to enter each room.

There is a large room in the middle part of the 4 long rooms in the 4 corners of Bihar. The room on the south side of it is very small. It has no entrance. Probably this was the secret room.

Looking at the masonry of the entire building, tall, medium, and small bricks, and the style of construction made of limestone, the researchers estimate that the monastery was built in the Western century or earlier.

Items found after or before the excavation of the monastery include various types of diamonds, broken pottery, earthenware, iron nails, earthenware fish, earthen doll design bricks, Lokeshwar Padyupani and two iron statues made by Majushree Rose. , And Rod.

There is a huge lake about 500 yards to the east of Bihar. Which is known as Shaldighi. 

There is currently a shelter there and the lake is leased to a government employee. There was a pond a little further west.

Not now. To the north is a small lowland on the other side of the forest. Probably there was a pond or reservoir. The excavation of this monastery is preceded by the residence of Taleb Ali, son of Mohiruddin, in the village of Marash, north of Bihar.

While cultivating land near Taleb Ali Bihar, he got a dilapidated sharp weapon (baish). 

Taleb Ali borrowed it at home and used it for household purposes. With this sharp weapon, large shawl trees of the forest could be cut in 2/1 cop.


The people of the forest department did not notice it at all. One day after being caught in this situation, Taleb Ali was shown a sharp weapon by the Forest Department man at one stage of the interrogation. 

The Forest Department man did not like the weapon and later did not take it from him and sent it to the authorities for examination.

It was later learned that the weapon was made of diamonds and if it was known, more valuable relics could be found. Taleb Ali was given the job of guarding that monastery.

Taleb Ali died a natural death a few years ago. A madrasa has been built adjacent to Bihar on the west side of the present Bihar. 

People in the area said that there were two signboards on both sides of Bihar which were stolen and the bricks of Bihar are still stolen.

At present, the department has created a new signboard. Many people forcibly occupy the place of Bihar. 

Apart from the building space in Bihar, some lands were given for cultivation. But some have settled in them.


However, those who are building houses are claiming their own land. Residents of the area say that the monastery can be renovated and built as a place of interest. 

Maybe a picnic corner. From which the revenue of the government will come.