Site 3 or Temple 3, popularly known as the Great Stupa or Sariputra’s Stupa, is the most iconic of all the monuments at the Nalanda site in Bihar.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The plinth of Temple 2, which was once a huge, imposing structure.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Carved stone panels of deities and figures, belonging to the late 7th century, that once adorned the plinth of Temple 2.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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One of the minor shrines in the Temple 3 complex.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Monastery 1, the largest of the monastic dwellings at the site, went through at least nine phases of construction.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The remains of Monasteries 1A and 1B in the background, which are connected to the Temple 3 complex (in the foreground).Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Monastery 6. These ruins give one a rough idea of the arrangement of monk cells around a central courtyard.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Monastery 8.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Monastery 9.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Monastery 10.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Monastery 11.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The gallery leading to the excavated-enclosed site.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Miniature shrines and votive stupas in the Temple 12 complex.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The remains of the stucco images that once adorned the base of the structures in the Temple 3 complex.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The Nalanda Museum, which was established in 1917.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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A pushkarni, one of the waterbodies lying outside the excavated-enclosed site.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The famous black Buddha, now enshrined at a temple in Bargaon, is popularly known as the Teliya Baba.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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Temple 12. It comes across as the largest and most complex of the temples in the enclosed area.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The Xuanxang Memorial Hall, which also houses a museum.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
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The new art and craft centre village that lies close to the Xuanzang Memorial Hall.Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha