Mohra Muradu

Mohra Muradu ( Urdu: موہرا مرادو ) are the ruins of two ancient Buddhist stupas and monastery near Taxila in Pakistan's Punjab province. The monastery is located in a valley surrounded by high mountains. The monks could meditate in peace and quiet here. Since the former city Sirsukh was only 1.5 kilometers away, they could beg there.

The city was built in the 2nd century AD and rebuilt in the 5th century all around. Therefore, it is counted in the Kushan period.

The ruins consist of three parts: the stupa, a Weihstupa and monastery. They belong since 1980 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Excavations

Mohra Muradu was first excavated under the direction of Sir John Marshall by Abdul Qadir in 1914-1915. The stupa is built on a foundation which is about 4.75 meters high. The smaller Weihstupa lies behind.

Monastery

The monastery contained 27 rooms for the monks and their teachers. These rooms are built around a large central courtyard with a pond. The square -scale pond was used for ritual ablutions and was about 50 inches deep. Steps to the water were present on all sides of the pond. The monastery contained a kitchen and a fountain that still works today. Rain water was passed over wooden structures from the roof of the monastery in the pond. Buddha statues can be found in the yard and in the rooms of the students. A hall for gatherings of monks is situated in a corner of the monastery.

The monastery was probably two storeys. Stairs from one of the rooms went to the top floor and are well preserved. Additional ways to get to the upper floor were given by wooden structures in the yard. The thickness of the walls but has led to the suggestion that there may be a third floor was available.

Monument

A four -meter-high monument was found in one of the rooms. It was probably dedicated to the memory of the honored teacher, who lived in this room. The shields of the monument were colored.

Gallery

The fountain

The stairs to the upper floor

The assembly hall of the monastery - the basis of some columns can be seen

The pond in the courtyard of the monastery

The monument

The monastery wall. The right part is original, while on the left the renovated part is visible. The transition is indicated.