Bairat Temple

Bairat Temple is a Buddhist temple ruin on Bijak-ki-Pahari hill featuring a circular structure that encloses a central stupa. The layout is framed by a colonnade of twenty-six octagonal wooden pillars with surrounding outer walls.

The temple was built during Emperor Ashoka's reign in the 3rd century BCE and ranks among the earliest examples of Buddhist architecture in ancient India. It marked a turning point in the religious construction of the region.

The site's name comes from two rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka discovered nearby, which contain detailed instructions about Buddhist teachings and monastic life. These inscriptions show how important this place was for spreading Buddhist ideas.

The archaeological site is located roughly one and a half kilometers southwest of Viratnagar city and is accessible by regular bus services from major cities in Rajasthan. Visitors should expect uneven ground and wear comfortable footwear.

The circular floor plan and use of fired brick make this temple the oldest known Buddhist shrine of this design style in India. The construction method was completely innovative for its time and influenced later building projects.