Vikramshila Ruins

Travel for 108 Kms from Coimbatore to reach Annamalai aka Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. This lively place is situated in the Western Ghats, 1400 meters above the sea level. The sanctuary covers a vast land of 958 Sq. Km. In its neighborhood is the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary houses wide travel for 40 km from Bhagalpur District, to reach Vikramshila Ruins. The place is of great historical importance. Vikramshila saw its existence back in the 8th century, which was the important center for learning. The Vikramshila University is said to be established by King Dharmapala and served as a prime center for learning Tantric Buddhism. It was one of the oldest learning school in the whole world. This famous school for learning saw its destruction by Bakhtiyar Khilji and his army, as a start of the new ruling dynasty. Near the university is the confluence of rivers Kosi and Ganga, making this place even more delightful. Encircling the university are 108 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Maa Kali.
Vikramshila University might be seeing one of the prime locations of its time. but the tragic history of the place ruined it all. There are rock-cut caves in its vicinity. The university remained buried underground for many centuries and was unearthed in the 1970s and declared a heritage site. The place is ideal for the history buffs and students. One can see exquisite carvings on the buildings and stupa made entirely of stones. Also to see is a small museum to visit here, advocating the glorious history of this ancient University and housing idols and statues of Buddhist Gurus. species of animals as elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, phalanger, jackal, pangolin, viverrine mammal cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, red-whiskered nightingale, black-headed oriole, etc. Apart from its fauna, the place has wide species of flora too. The sanctuary is looked upon for its scenic waterfalls, lush grassy hills, tea estates & reservoirs. The sanctuary has many gateways to have the entry into the sections of the park, as Amaravathi, Sethumadai, Top slip, and Valparai. The best among which is considered to be Top slip.