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Paharpur is an important archaeological site situated in a village named 'Paharpur' in Naogaon district of northern Bangladesh. It is famous for Historical Tourist Spot. Naogaon is mainly plain land but in the middle of it stood a hill covered with jungle. When the jungle was cleared and the hill excavated, there emerged a lofty ruin of an ancient beautiful temple. The temple is about 24 meter high from the surrounding level. 'Pahar' means hill.Hence the name Paharpur.The place is really beautiful like it's name.

The Parharpur site has been excavated and re-excavated a number of times by archaeologists. Sir Alexander Cumningham, archaeological surveyor of India, visited the place in 1879. He intended to carry out an extensive excavation but was prevented by the land owner this time. Nevertheless, he was satisfied with whatever excavation he was permitted to carry out. The site was decleared to be pritected by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1919 under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904.

Systematic and regular excavation started jointly by the Archaeological Survey of India, and Varendra Research Society of Rajshahi and Calcutta University in 1923. They excavated the south-west corner of the monastery, next in 1925-1926, historian and Archaeologiist RD Banerjee excavation was carried out under the super-viaion of KN Dikshit.

The Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh brought the site under further excavation after independenc. The operations took place in two phases. The first phase was intiated in 1981-1982 and conntinued till 1988-1989 and the second phase continued till 1990-1991.

Pre-liberation expenditions have revealed the architecture of a vast Buddhist monastery, Somapura Mahavuhara. It is dominated by the.central shrine, attracting immediate attention by its lofty height and unusal architectural design.

Somapura Mahavihara was one of the most famous Buddhist institution for monks of ancient Bengal and Southern Asia. The excavated complex at Paharpur has been identified as Somapura Mahavihara built by the second Pala King Dharmapala(781-821). Some clay seals from the ruins bear the inscription. Dharmapala was also make such as many temple and instititions and others during his regime.

The Pala rules were devout Buddhist and they founded a number of monasteries throughout their growing empire. Some of them became great centres of learning and their reputation quickly spread throughout Asia. Somapura Mahavihara's close relationship with the ruling dynasty implied that it shared the political ups and downs of its benefactors.