Kurkihar is a small village situated
in the state of Bihar. It lies at a distance of approximately 22 km from
the Gaya district. This large mound over which this village lies
consists of the remains of a very old Buddhist Monastery. The village
also boasts of two Hindu and is quite famous for a rich collection of
Buddha statues and Bodhisattvas. Approximately 148 bronze artifacts were
excavated from this area around the year 1930.
The excavated items consisted of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in all shapes
and sizes, bells, stupas and a number of rituals objects. All the items
that were unearthed exhibit the highest degree of workmanship. A
sizeable number of items, excavated over the years, have been kept in
one of the Hindus temples of the Kurkihar village in India. Amongst all
the relics, the most splendid one is the statue of Akshobhya Buddha,
placed just outside the entrance of the temple.
The temple is also adorned with fourteen calved pillars, which date back
to the 9th century. Some of the antiquities excavated from Kurkihar have
been put up on display in the Patna Museum, while some others are in the
Indian Museum in Calcutta.
How to reach Kurkihar
Kurkihar can easily be reached from Gaya.
