Welcome to Ancient remains at Bokshanagar
~18 km away
Nearest Railway Station: Bishalgarh Railway Station
~56 km away
Nearest Airport: Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala
~1.0 km away
Nearest Bus Station: Boxanagar Bus Stand
Boxanagar is located about 46km away from Agartala and 22km from Sonamura Sub-Division. The mound is spread over three acres of land. Successive excavations have enabled to expose a massive brick built stupa, Vihara, a monastery and burnt brick structure.
The discovery of a massive Buddhist stupa, vihara, a monastery, and other associated burnt brick structures at Bakshanagar (Boxanagar) has shed new light on previously unknown aspects of the art, architecture, and religious practices of ancient Tripura. The stupa is situated to the west of the protected site, while the Vihara is located to the east of the stupa. To the north of the protected site lie two additional burnt brick structures.
Successive excavations have revealed a massive brick-built stupa of triratha design, measuring 15.40 x 15.40 meters. The stupa’s construction employed bricks sized at (30x23x6cm), (31x24x5cm), (31x25x6cm), and others. It features eight mouldings arranged in a decreasing order upwards, with a tapering medhi crafted elegantly from burnt bricks. The harmika chamber follows a square plan.
In addition to the stupa, a vihara is located on its eastern side. The vihara has a rectangular plan. The superstructure of the Vihara is completely damaged except for the side walls, which survive up to 1.60 meters in height. The brick-built monastery is having a long corridor between rows of five cells on each side.
The excavation of another mound at Bakshanagar (Boxanagar) has revealed a fully burnt-brick structure with Triratha projections and a square sacred chamber. In front of this structure is a rectangular hall enclosed by a wall, with a brick-rammed floor likely used for congregational purposes. A wide Pradakshinapatha surrounds these structures.
During the excavation of Bakshanagar Notable antiquities were found including three bronze images of the Buddha, moulded bricks, miniature votive stupas, sealings, silver coins etc. Thus it holds immense archaeological value marking to the historical events of Buddhism in Tripura.
The available archaeological evidences suggest that the Buddhist establishment at Bakshanagar might have sprang up during c. 6th century CE and continued till 12th century CE, and during this period this Buddhist center might have played a significant role in spreading Buddhism. It is also noteworthy to mention here that several Buddhist establishments had been sprang up contemporary to Bakshanagar in this region and in the adjoining areas like Shyam Sundar Tilla in South Tripura District, Somapura Mahavihara of Paharpur in Naogaon District of Bangladesh and Mainamati in Comilla District of Bangladesh.
As stated earlier the architectural style of the ancient temples which bears the pan-Indian traits are assimilated in a new style of terracotta chala temples with votive stupa finials. In sphere of sculptural art the share of Tripura is not less significant as amply proved by the recent discoveries. It is therefore our prime duty to keep these priceless monuments free from encroachments and preserve them for posterity.
Drone IMAGE
