Takht-i-Bhai

Takht-i-Bahi is an Indo-Parthian archaeological site in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, of an ancient Buddhist monastery. The location is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist relics in all of what was once Gandhara, and it has been exceptionally well-preserved.

Regarded as one of the most famous historical sites in Pakistan, the monastery was established in the first century CE and remained in operation until the seventh century. Archaeologists consider the complex to be particularly indicative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic complexes from the time period. In 1980, Takht-i-Bahi was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Takht-i-Bahi complex is divided into four sections: the Stupa Court, a cluster of stupas located in a central courtyard; the monastic chambers, which consist of individual cells arranged around a courtyard, assembly halls, and a dining area; a temple complex, which consists of stupas and is similar to the Stupa Court, but of later construction; and the Tantric monastic complex, which consists of small, dark cells with low openings and may have Other structures on the property may have been used as houses, meeting rooms, or for secular purposes. The buildings on the site are all made of native stone and mortared with lime and mud.

Location: Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan