Takht-i-Bahi Monastery

Takht-i-Bahi is a Buddhist monastery complex dating from the first century BC, located 15 kilometers from the Pakistani city of Mardan. Archaeologists conditionally divided it into four main parts - "yard stupas", monastic cells, temple complex and tantric monastery complex.

The first is a cluster of stupas, which is located in the central courtyard of Takht-i-Bahi. There are also monastic cells, refectory and meeting rooms. The temple complex features later stupas, and the tantric monastery complex features small dark cells with a low entrance that were previously used for meditation. In Takht-i-Bahi there are also service buildings built of local stone and mortar of clay and lime.

Scholars have identified several periods that are associated with the history of Takht-i-Baha. The first is the early Kushan period from the time of King Kanishka I, which lasted until the II century AD. The second period - from the III - IV century, during which a stupa and a meeting hall were built. The third period belongs to the VI - VII centuries, it is famous for the construction of the tantric complex.

Takht-i-Bahi is currently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.