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built one over the other
twice, even
thrice, on the same spot. The main stupa is the
result of seven successive accumulations of
the shrine-chamber on the top, facing both,
can be approached by the staircase of the sixth
period. It presumably contained a colossal image
of the Lord Buddha, as the pedestal therein
would indicate. It derived its name from Na-alam-da,
meaning Insatiable in Giving, one of the names
by which the Lord Buddha was known.
A row of monastery sites lies from south to
north. Almost all of them are of the same pattern.
The monastery consisted, as usual, of a number
of monk's cells with wide verandas in front,
originally set round an open quadrangular court,
but later separated from it by a high wall.
It was originally a building of two, or probably
more storeys, as is apparent from the existence
of stairs in the south-east corner. In the courtyard
there used to be Lord Buddha's shrine and a
well in each monastery.
It goes entirely to the credit
of some concerned individuals that the site
has been saved. Sculptures, bas-reliefs
and frescoes are to be seen amongst
the ruins and at the Nalanda museum. In fact,
the peaceful ruins are surrounded by shrubs
and the scent of roses envelopes the visitor.
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