# Nalanda Mahavihara

> ancient Hindu-Buddhist monastery in present-day Bihar, India

**Wikidata**: [Q216243](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q216243)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda_mahavihara)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nalanda-mahavihara

## Summary
Nalanda Mahavihara is an ancient Hindu-Buddhist monastery and renowned archaeological site located in present-day Bihar, India. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, it functions as a "mahavihara" (great monastery) and is widely classified as a significant historical university. The site is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Nalanda, Bihar, India (Coordinates: 25.136797°N, 85.443828°E).
- **Classification:** Identified as a mahavihara (great monastery), an archaeological site, and an ancient university.
- **UNESCO Status:** Designated a World Heritage Site in 2016 (ID: 1502) based on criteria (iv) and (vi).
- **Area:** The World Heritage Site core area covers 23 hectares, surrounded by a buffer zone of 57.88 hectares.
- **Administration:** Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Patna Circle.
- **National Designation:** Listed as a "Monument of National Importance" with the ASI ID N-BR-39.
- **Timezone:** UTC+05:30.

## FAQs
### Q: Where is Nalanda Mahavihara located?
A: Nalanda Mahavihara is situated in the town of Nalanda in the state of Bihar, India.

### Q: Is Nalanda Mahavihara a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A: Yes, the archaeological site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

### Q: What type of institution was Nalanda Mahavihara?
A: Historically, it was a Hindu-Buddhist monastery (mahavihara) that also functioned as a university for further education.

### Q: How large is the protected archaeological site?
A: The specific area designated as a World Heritage Site comprises 23 hectares, while the surrounding buffer zone extends for 57.88 hectares.

## Why It Matters
Nalanda Mahavihara holds profound significance as a testament to the academic and spiritual history of India. As a "mahavihara," it represents a distinct class of monastic architecture and educational organization that flourished in ancient Bihar. Its dual classification as both a monastery and a university highlights its role as a premier center for higher education, attracting scholars and students across regions.

The site's recognition under UNESCO criteria (iv) and (vi) underscores its universal value. Criterion (iv) typically marks it as an exceptional example of a type of building or landscape, while criterion (vi) associates it with living traditions or ideas of universal significance. The site's preservation as a "Monument of National Importance" reflects its central place in the cultural heritage of India. Spanning a substantial 23-hectare core area, the physical remains offer extensive archaeological data regarding ancient urban planning and religious life. Today, the site remains a focal point for historical research and heritage tourism, bridging the gap between ancient scholastic traditions and modern preservation efforts managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

## Notable For
- **Distinction as a Mahavihara:** Specifically classified as a "Mahavihara" (Great Monastery), distinguishing it from smaller monastic institutions.
- **Dual Heritage Status:** Holds both UNESCO World Heritage status and the national designation of "Monument of National Importance."
- **Academic Legacy:** Explicitly defined in structured data as a "university," cementing its status as an ancient academic institution.
- **Archaeological Scale:** Covers a significant physical footprint of 23 hectares, requiring a substantial buffer zone for protection.
- **Religious Syncretism:** Identified in descriptions as a "Hindu-Buddhist" monastery, reflecting a convergence of religious traditions.

## Body

### Classification and Definition
Nalanda Mahavihara is formally classified as an instance of a **mahavihara**, an **archaeological site**, and a **university**. The term "Mahavihara" denotes a great monastery, serving as both a religious residence and an academic institution. The Wikidata description defines it specifically as an "ancient Hindu-Buddhist monastery in present-day Bihar, India."

### Location and Geography
The site is geographically situated in **Nalanda**, within the state of **Bihar, India**.
- **Coordinates:** 25.136797222222° Latitude, 85.443827777778° Longitude.
- **Timezone:** UTC+05:30.
The site is associated with various geographical identifiers, including GeoNames ID 1262080 and OpenStreetMap Way ID 217765474.

### Heritage Designations
Nalanda Mahavihara possesses multiple layers of heritage protection and recognition:
- **UNESCO World Heritage Site:** Inscribed in **2016** with the ID **1502**.
  - **Official Names:** The UNESCO listing includes titles such as "Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda, Bihar" and "那烂陀寺考古遗址（那烂陀大学），比哈尔邦那烂陀".
  - **Criteria:** The site was inscribed under UNESCO criteria **(iv)** and **(vi)**.
- **Monument of National Importance:** Designated by the Archaeological Survey of India with the ID **N-BR-39**.

### Site Dimensions
The protected areas of the site are strictly defined:
- **Core Area:** The primary World Heritage Site covers an area of **23 hectares**.
- **Buffer Zone:** To protect the integrity of the site, a buffer zone of **57.88 hectares** has been established.

### Administration and Maintenance
The physical maintenance and conservation of the site are managed by the **Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)**, specifically the **Patna circle**. This responsibility includes the upkeep of the archaeological remains and the management of the monument under national heritage laws.

### External Identifiers and Records
The entity is tracked across numerous international knowledge bases and library systems:
- ** VIAF ID:** 54144647637175543962
- **GND ID:** 4481600-5
- **BnF ID:** 135410920
- **Encyclopædia Britannica ID:** topic/Nalanda
- **Treccani Dictionary of History ID:** nalanda

## References

1. [Source](https://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-bihar/)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki//Q442468)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. GeoNames
8. [Source](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1502)
9. Dizionario di Storia
10. [Ancient Nalanda University - Atlas Obscura](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ancient-nalanda-university)