Amluk-dara Stupa

Amluk Dara; one of the best preserved Buddhist architecture in Swat (Udyana), located at just 2 kilometers from Barikot swat. It is one of the best and most interesting stupas in swat valley. Recommended place tourists.

An old and historic spot, surrounded by mountains. It was built between 2nd Centure CE and 9th century CE.

The Buddhist Stupa was then surrounded by some settlement. It was discovered and excavated by an archeological team from Italy.

At the moment, there are no tickets to this place, leaving it free open for visitors to see.

Historical places
Difficult and zig zag way
8 km in 40 mints 🙂
Overall good experience

Amolk Dara Stupa, also known as the Amu Darya Stupa, is a Buddhist structure located in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. The stupa dates back to the 1st century CE, and it is believed to have been built during the reign of the Buddhist king Kanishka. The stupa was discovered in 1955 during the archaeological excavations conducted by Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Tucci.

The stupa is made of stone and bricks and is approximately 20 meters in diameter and 7 meters high. The base of the stupa is surrounded by a stone wall, and the structure is decorated with various Buddhist motifs, including carvings of stupas, lotus flowers, and the Wheel of Law.

The Amolk Dara Stupa is significant because it represents the Buddhist influence on the Swat Valley during ancient times. The Swat Valley was an important center of Buddhism in the region, and the stupa is one of several Buddhist structures that have been found in the area. The stupa is also an important example of ancient Buddhist architecture and art.

In conclusion, the Amolk Dara Stupa is an important historical and cultural site in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. Its ancient origins and Buddhist motifs make it a significant structure for understanding the history of the region and the influence of Buddhism in the area.

Beautiful stupa surrounded by scenic mountains.

The stupa of Amlukdara is situated about 2km on the north of Nawagai village in the beautiful small valley of Amlokdara, on the main road to Buner, from Barikot Swat. Visitors will have to walk about 1km through the village in order to reach the Bhudist Stupa. Students of archeology and history will get a treasure of knowledge at the stupa. Amlook Dara valley is very peaceful and calm, cellular networks are not functional here, which further added to it's peace and silence. It's road is good one can reach here with an ordinary car, good for family trip also. Please keep in mind that children must be guided at the stupa as the stupa had been excavated, and safety measures are not of the standard.

The high stupa stands prominently visible from the surrounding area, naturally sheltered by the great Mount Elum. The stupa is raised on a magnificent square plinth with base moulding in torus and Scotia pattern, measures 34 meters in diameter. The height of the square shape base plinth is about 4 meters.

On the high square plinth rests a three tiered drum in cylindrical form measuring 9 meters leaving an approx. 5 meters wide ambulatory. The stupa is further surmounted by a hemispherical dome measuring 7m in height. The drum on which the hemispherical dome rests has a diameter of 21m, probably being the largest in the Ilam valley. The drum is divided by a bold cornice supported by brackets at intervals of 0.30cm. A second cornice projecting farther runs below the bottom course of the dome. The height of the stupa from the floor level on the ground up to the existing top of the dome measures 20 meters. The stupa has a flight of ascending step on the north, which is 04.26m wide connecting the pradakshina patha on the ground level with the ambulatory passage on the top of the plinth. The pradakshina patha on the top of the plinth is approached by another step 03.65m wide which leads to the third pradakishna patha. It is only here that a hole measuring 04.57m deep was dug in the drum to reach the relic chamber. The entire stupa building from base to the top shows a remarkable fine, semi-ashler masonry, preserving good stretches of the architectural decoration, typical of the Gandahara valley during the period Kushanas.

The semi-ashler facing was originally covered by a coating of stucco plaster, traces of which are still observed at some places. The podium and lower drum are decorated by Corinthian columns of small dark stones. On the eastern side of the stupa podium lie in heap four stone “Umbrellas”, once raised above the dome and now fallen over the year. The largest of them measures 04m, the smallest 1.82m in dia and 30 cm in thickness.

On the eastern and northern side of the main stupa, the ruins of the monastery, stupas and miscellaneous remains can still be seen. They are mostly disturbed by the illegal diggers. Stein recorded a number of coins from the Kushanas to the Turki Shahis dating from the 2nd to 7th century A.D.

The site was investigated by Barger and Wright in 1938. They recovered some Gandahara sculptures but did not investigate further to ascertain the exact period of the site.

Stein says, “the Amluk-dara lies on the route followed by the Hindus of lower Swat on their annual visit to the sacred height of Mount Elum, which forms so striking a background to the ruined stupa. The top of the mountain was an object of pious pilgrimage already in Buddhist times, and may well have been connected in some way with the pious legends which once clustered around it and in a modified form have lingered to the present day” (1930).

The stupa with its separate components of socle, podium, drum, and dome is the best example in Swat.

The stupa of Amlokdara is exposed to The treasure hunters have badly damaged the Stupa.The concern department should notice it, if they neglect the damages the stupa has received so for, the coming generation will not see this magnificent monument of glorious past. The time is appropriate to excavate the site at Amluk-dara stupa in order to protect the monuments and the hidden antiquities from the clandestine activities of unauthorized diggers.

Stupas are holy constructions are for all Buddhists.in swat valley these stupas were also  built.today I visited here and try to share some info regarding a great stupa called “Amluk Dara”.if you are going towards swat valley, mostly Mingora is the main city of swat and buses etc. drop you there.just before Mingora a sub division of swat comes that’s called “Bari kot”its about 20 km from Mingora. barikot is a beautiful small city, have some good historical places to visit. If you want to travel through Daewoo bus service then you can easily get there because daewoo bus station is available at barikot.
The Amluk-Dara Stupa,Swat Valley
Protected by the great Mount Elam, the Amluk-Dara stupa is an early artifact, round about 3 kilometers from the main road which travels from Barikot to Buner and stands with ancient majesty and can be seen from the neighboring mountains.

The stupa of Amlukdara is situated about 2km on the north of Nawagai village in the beautiful small valley of Amlokdara, on the main road to Buneer.One is required to walk about 1km through the village in order to reach the site......

Amazing trip to this stupa.
Almost 30 mins drive away from Barikot road, Swat.
Archaeological site also with this stupa.
Its a part of Ghandhara civilization.

2nd BCE-9th Century CE monument reflect the traditional style of the Gandharan Architecture

Located at a distance of 1 hr from Mingora city in a vehicle.
I can provide local tour guide and transport services

Great place for history lovers and wonderful surroundings. Very calm place

Ancient relics, if you want to visit past life must visit this site.

One of the best example of Gandhara Architecutre dating 5 to 6 Centuary AD

Great place for tourist

Historical Buddhist stupa at the feets of elum mountain

An excellent archaeology site with beautiful surroundings.

Have a wonderful art of handmade stupa.

Amluk Dara Sutupa . one of the best one arachaeology site