Kakrak Stupa — Bamyan Valley Stupa
Kushan–Gupta influenced (300–600 CE)·Bamyan Buddhist·🇦🇫 Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
About
About Kakrak Stupa — Bamyan Valley Stupa
Kakrak Stupa — Bamyan Valley Stupa in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan is a Kushan–Gupta influenced (300–600 CE) temple-complex attributed to Bamyan Buddhist. Painted stupa in Kakrak valley 3 km east Bamyan Buddhas with earlier vaulted caves. Hackin Kakrak stupa with mural Avalokiteshvara 6th c.
Why it mattersKey Gandharan–Kushan monastery illustrating Buddhist expansion
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Gandhara art evolution
- 02Kushan imperial network
Theories
- 01Monastic economy
- 02Greco-Buddhist fusion
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 400 CE
- Period
- Kushan–Gupta influenced (300–600 CE)
- Culture
- Bamyan Buddhist
- Purpose
- Painted stupa in Kakrak valley 3 km east Bamyan Buddhas with earlier vaulted caves
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 400 CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Modern excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
34.8100° N · 67.7900° E · 2550 m · 3 mapped features
Kakrak Stupa — Bamyan Valley Stupa — Sanctuary Court
courtCourt with votive stupas
34.8101° N · 67.7901° EKakrak Stupa — Bamyan Valley Stupa — Monk Cells
cellsMonastic cells
34.8098° N · 67.7902° EKakrak Stupa — Bamyan Valley Stupa — Stupa Terrace
stupaStupa platform
34.8104° N · 67.7898° E