Mohra Moradu

high-definition creative commons photographs from Mohra Moradu, Taxila, Pakistan together with further information.

 

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Satellite View of the Site

Satellite View of the Site

The notes below are modified from on-site signs.

This Buddhist complex, named after a nearby village, was excavated by Abdul Qadir in 1915-16 under the direction of Sir John Marshall. It includes a lofty stūpa in the west and a rectangular monastery for accommodation of the monastic teachers and students, in the east. It is located well away from the city noise in between the two folds of Hathial and is suitable for meditation, yet close enough to the city of Sirsukh for the gathering of daily alms. It belongs to the 2nd century CE but has been repaired and renovated extensively during 4th century.

The stūpa stand on a 16-feet high plinth with offset projection on the east for a staircase. The stūpa plinth is provided with kanjur stone moldings and vertical slender pilasters. It was decorated with stucco figures of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and Devas. Some of these sculptures were removed for exhibition in the museum. South of the steps. stands a votive stūpa on a square plinth, also decorated with stucco relief.

The monastery has a square court with 27 cells and an open courtyard with a bathroom in one corner. The assembly hall, kitchen, refractory and baths are on the east of the monastery. There is a well for water within this area in addition to the one located a little further to the east.

The economic strain and insecurity that followed the ruthless invasion of White Huns towards the end of 5th century compelled the Buddhists to abandon Mohra Moradu, which shared the decay and the end of other Buddhist establishments in Taxila.

001 Aproach to the Main Stūpa

01 Aproach to the Main Stūpa

002  Main Stūpa and Staircase

02 Main Stūpa and Staircase

003 View of the Main Stūpa

03 View of the Main Stūpa

004 Staircase

04 Staircase

005 Two Stucco Buddha Statues

05 Two Stucco Buddha Statues

006 Stucco Reliefs

06 Stucco Reliefs

007 Much Damaged Reliefs

07 Much Damaged Reliefs

008 Stucco Standing Buddhas

08 Stucco Standing Buddhas

009 View of the Walls

09 View of the Walls

010 Damaged Reliefs

10 Damaged Reliefs

011 Wall and Platform

11 Wall and Platform

012 Part of the Monastery

12 Part of the Monastery

013 Empty Niche

13 Empty Niche

The Votive Stūpa

This votive stūpa is around 12ft tall and has an umbrella with seven tiers. The core is made from kanjur stone, and it is decorated with stucco, which was once painted. It was found in cell no 9, which was constructed in the memory of a venerated teacher who had lived and died there.

014 Large Votive Stūpa

14 Large Votive Stūpa

015 Votive Stūpa

15 Votive Stūpa

016 Storeroom

16 Storeroom

017 Large Monastic Room

17 Large Monastic Room

The Assembly Hall

This Assembly Hall (Sīmā) measures around 33x34ft, with a roof supported by four columns, which have since disappeared.

018 The Assembly Hall

18 The Assembly Hall

 

Photographs by Leow Chai Yee
Edited and Described by Ānandajoti Bhikkhu

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