Takht-i-Bahi

One of the most well-preserved world heritage sites in Pakistan is the Ancient Buddhist monastery called Takht-i-Bahi. The site is located at a distance of 80 km from Peshawar and 15 km from Khyber Pakhtun Khwa’s most developed city of Mardan. Takht-i-Bahi is perceived to have been a Buddhist educational institute as well as a place of worship for the Buddhist monks. The facility is spread over an area of 3 miles (4.83 km), 500 feet (0.15 km)above sea level at hilltops . Observing the vastness of this elaborate building, historians predicted that approximately three to four hundred students would have studied here. The wide facility Primarily has four major segments. The stupa court located in the central courtyard where a big Buddhist central statue was positioned. There are individual monastic cells that were used for different forms of worship and meditations. The temple complex and the monastic chambers around a central courtyard and dining hall. The entire establishment was built from local bricks and stones with Gandharan patterns, cemented with lime or mud mortar. Only about 20-30 percent of the archaeological site has been excavated and about 70 percent of it is still undergoing excavations. Blue prints of Religious enclaves are scattered all round the monastery where the  Buddhist Statues were placed

HISTORY: 

This Primitive property dates back to about 3000 to 4000 years ago in the 1^st century  but the proper construction had not begun till the 2^nd century . The place was initially founded by Gondophares and saw many successive take overs in history including Kushan empires and early Parthian rulers. The construction periods of the great building sustained throughout the various annexations, the last of the construction was overseen by Hun rulers in the 7^th century. 

It was the building’s Hill top location that preserved it from destruction from the several invading forces. The monastery was given its name owing to the hill top position deriving the ‘Takht’ and the ‘Bahi’ comes from the Spring flowing nearby or the two wells in the area. Local agricultural workers found ancient coins and bricks that suggested the presence of Buddhist and Hindu civilizations in the area. 

GEOGRAPHY:

  The monastery is built about 500 meters above ground, spread over a cluster of hills of various heights ranging from 36 meters to just over 150 meters. The entire facility looks quite minute from down below but is actually an entire elaboration of various segments. The monastery is a remains of a previously well developed facility although you can still make out the major compartments. 

CLIMATE:

  The area around Takht-i-Bahi features a hot semi-arid climate, the average temperature is somewhere around 22_. September to April are the most visited months for Takh-i-Bahi and it is preferable to visit the site in the winter seasons. June is the hottest month and January is the coolest while October is the driest month and August is the wettest.

TOURIST SPOTS:

• SEHRI-BAHLOL : 

Is the ruins of an ancient Fortified town. It contains the remains of Buddha and antiques of the local people who used to live there. The hillock Town was built under the supervision of the Kushans and is thought to have been named after a popular political and religious leader. 

• TAKHT-I-BAHI BAZAA: 

The local bazar in the area is 2 km away from takht-I-bahi and here you can find all the basic amenities including some antiques of the Kushan period. 

HEALTH AND SECURITY:

Seven minutes from Takht I bahi at a distance of 3.2 km via Malakand Mardan Road is the WMC Waris khan medical center. Police station Saroshah is the closest to the takht-I bahi at a distance of 8.7 km via Takht I bahi road. Local securities are available for emergency purposes  

TRANSPORT:

Transportation Facilities in Takht-I-Bahi are developed over the years. The takht I bahi railway station is also located in town. In addition, there is a variety of local transports in the area. Takht-i-Bahi  also facilitates a car parking for private transport. 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

Local rescue: 1122 

The nearest Hospital: 03009020021 – Waris khan medical center 

The nearest police station: (0937) 503001