Takht-i-Bahi, Buddhist monastery ruins in Mardan, Pakistan.
Takht-i-Bahi is a monastery ruins site in the hills near Mardan with four main areas: the Stupa Court, monastic cells, a temple complex, and Tantric buildings all built from local stone. The entire compound spreads across multiple terraced platforms carved into the mountainside.
The monastery was founded in the 1st century and remained active until the 7th century under different regional powers including the Indo-Parthians and Kushans. This long period of use shows how important the site was for trade routes and spiritual travelers.
The name combines Persian words for throne and water, reflecting how Buddhist and Persian cultures met in this region. You can see this blend in the stonework and the way buildings are arranged across the site.
The site sits about 15 kilometers from Mardan, positioned 150 meters above the surrounding plains. Reaching all areas requires climbing the pathways, but the views from the top make the walk worthwhile.
The complex includes numerous meditation cells and assembly halls set into the mountainside itself. These smaller rooms reveal how monks lived and prayed in their daily routines at this location.
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