Oldest Buddhist Heritage Bhamala Stupa Village Khanpur

GuiderPakistan April 25, 2019 Travel,

National heritage Buddhist stupa located on Haro River about 10 km distance from Khanpur Town. The stupa is different from other stupas found in Gandhara. Bhamala buddhist complex is a archaeological site very near to the Khanpur Dam. The ruins date back to the 4th century CE, Bhamala stupa is part of the larger Bhamala Buddhist Complex.
It is nominated at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The nomination lead to the restoration of the ruins (mainly the Stupa). the shape of main stupa is cruciform and it is the biggest surviving example of this shape in Taxila and Gandhara region. There are about nineteen but small votive stupas in courtyard surrounding the main stupa. the first field investigation at the site was carried out in 1930 by John Marshall.

According to archaeologists this discovery is the largest statue ever found in Gandhara depicting the death of Buddha as well as a ‘double-halo’ Buddha statue, the first of its kind to have been found at the Bhamala Stupa site.
Bhamala Stupa in June 2015 under the control of Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is one of the few sites in the world to have the cruciform Stupa which was reserved for Buddha himself.
this adventurous road runs along the western side of the Khanpur Dam thus one can enjoy the beautiful view of the Dam while reaching to the Buddhist complex of Bhamala. The site enjoys a unique geographical position as it is surrounded by the Haro river on its north-eastern and eastern sides and lush green mountains on the northern and north-western sides.

It is a historical place, tourist attraction point and view point of Khanpur Dam. Best place to spend your summer day, a fresh stream of Haro River cold you in summer. Buddhist stupa is locate Tehsil Khanpur near Potowar Plateau 53 km from big city Islamabad.

Oldest Buddhist Heritage Bhamala stupa

Bhamala Stupa and Haro River

View point Khanpur Dam

Tourist at Khanpur Dam

During the summer due to the water raise in the Dam the site is approachable through small boats easily available on rental basis.
Itinerary Bhamala Stupa Village Khanpur
1 Drive from Islamabad city on main Peshawar GT road reach Taxila city
2 after crossing Taxila city on khanpur road reached Khanpur Town
3 Khanpur Town bypass and follow the main road few minute after Dam view point on chock turn right follow the road you reach Bhamala Stupa village.

Google map Bhamala Stupa Khanpur