Shalban Vihara is one of the most important archaeological sites excavated in Comilla's Mainamati. The location of this monastery is in the middle of Lalmai hill near Bard in Kotbari. This Vihar was named Shalban Vihar as there was once a dense forest of Shal-Gazari around the Vihar. 

Its adjacent village is called Shalbanpur. There is still a small forest there. This monastery is similar to the Paharpur Buddhist monastery but smaller in size. It is believed that the fourth king of the Deva Dynasty Sribhavadeva built this Buddhist monastery between the end of the seventh century and the beginning of the eighth century. 

Six construction and reconstruction phases of Shalban Vihar are known. It is assumed that the central temple was built during the third phase during the 8th century AD and the vihara was completely renovated. The fourth and fifth phases of construction and renovation were completed in the ninth-tenth centuries. 

It is square in shape. Each arm of Shalban Bihar is 167.7 meters long. The walls of Bihar on four sides are five meters thick. The rooms are built on four sides of the walls of Bihar. There was only one way in or out of Bihar. This path or door is right in the middle of the north block. Each room has a 1.5 meter wide wall between them. 

The central temple was right in the middle of the Bihar Angan. There are a total of 155 rooms in Bihar. In front of the room is a 8.5 ft. wide verandah and a low wall at its end. Each room has three niches in the wall. Deities, oil lamps, etc. were kept in niches. These rooms were where Buddhist monks lived. He used to study and practice religion there. 

There is a hall in the southeast corner next to the entrance outside the bihar. It is believed that the hall built on four sides walls and four huge round pillars in front was the dining room of the monks. The size of the hall is 10 meters by 20 meters. There is a wide brick road around the hall. 

Archaeological excavations have yielded eight copperplate inscriptions, about 400 gold and silver coins, numerous terracotta plaques, seals, bronze and clay figurines from the ruins of the vihara. These bear the signature of the ancient archaeological heritage of Bangladesh. 

How to go to Comilla –

Coming by train: You can come to Comilla station from Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong, Chandpur, Noakhali, etc., get down from Comilla and come by auto-rickshaw or rickshaw to Kandirpar, then go as per the description below and charge Tk 10 per person. Check the train fare from the railway station's own website. 

From Dhaka to Comilla – From Dhaka Jatrabari you can travel by Asia Transport, Asia Line or Tisha Transport (both AC and non-AC), Royal Coach from Kamalapur. Royal coach is very comfortable but slow. Climb up any of them, you will see the Buriganga Bridge, Meghna Bridge, Daudkandi Bridge and the morning sunlight on the roads on both sides. You nature lover won't need anything else to add a farewell look. Come to see Comilla Cantonment and get down or you can get down at Kotbari Bishwa Road. The rent will be 200-250 taka. It will take 2 to 2.5 hours. 

20/30 per person on CNG from Kotbari Vishwarode to Kotbari. 

From Chittagong, take the Comilla – Saudia transport (AC, Non-AC) and go down to Jangalia via Padua Bazar Bishwaroad in Comilla, the fare will be Tk 200-250. It will take 2.5 to 3 hours. Chittagong residents do not need to describe the scenery around the Comilla-Chittagong road, both sides of this road are beautiful. Anyway, Tomchambridge will come down from Jangaliya and take 5 taka by auto. 

Kotbari from Comilla town – 10 km from Comilla town and 3 km west of Comilla bypass Nandanpur on Dhaka-Chittagong highway, Kotbari at the foothills of Lalmai and Shalbon hills. 

You can go to Kotbari by using the CNG station on the west side road from Comilla Tomchambridge Chowmuhani. Rent is 20 rupees. It will become Daulatpur. 

Get off from CNG and take an auto to Shalbon Vihar. The fare is Tk 5/10 per person.