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Buddhas of Bamiyan facts for kids

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Buddhas of Bamiyan
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Buddha of Bamiyan.jpg
Taller Buddha of Bamyan before 2001
Location Bamyan, Afghanistan
Part of Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamyan Valley
Criteria Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv, vi.
Reference 208-001
Inscription 2003 (27th Session)
Endangered 2003-present
Area 105 ha
Buffer zone 225.25 ha

The Buddhas of Bamiyan (Persian: بت‌های باميان – but hay-e bamiyan) were two 6th century monumental statues of standing Buddhas carved into the side of a cliff. They are in the Bamyan valley in the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan.

They were dynamited and destroyed in March 2001 by the Taliban. Japan and Switzerland, among others, have said they would help rebuild the statues.

Taller Buddha of Bamiyan before and after destruction
Taller Buddha in 1963 and in 2008 after destruction
BamyanBuddha Smaller 1
Smaller Buddha in 1977


Images for kids

  • Buddha cave of chapels

    Mapping of the 38 meter smaller "Eastern Buddha", dated to AD 591 to 644, and its surrounding caves and chapels.

  • Bouddhas de Bâmiyân - Aout 2005

    Site of the smaller statue in 2005

  • BAMIYAN BUDDHAS - GROTTO PAINTINGS

    Grotto painting in 2008

  • Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley-109153

    Caution Sign, 2017

  • CH-NB - Afghanistan, Bamiyan, Bamyan (Bamian)- Menschen - Annemarie Schwarzenbach - SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-20-174 (cropped)

    Local men standing near the larger "Salsal" Buddha statue, c. 1940

  • Françoise Foliot - Afghanistan - 006

    Photographed by Françoise Foliot

  • Mural of the Sun God riding his golden chariot, over the head of the smaller 38 meter Eastern Buddha

    Mural of the Sun God riding his golden chariot and rows of royal donors along the sides, over the head of the smaller 38 meter Eastern Buddha

  • Painting of a King in the niche of the 38 meter Buddha, Bamiyan

    Probable King of Bamiyan, in Sasanian style, in the niche of the 38 meters Buddha, next to the Sun God, Bamiyan.

  • Hephthalite sponsors at Bamiyan (ceiling of the 38 meter Buddha, detail of royal sponsors)

    Probable Hepthalite rulers of Tokharistan, with single-lapel caftan and single-crescent crown, in the lateral row of dignitaries next to the Sun God.

  • Bamiyan paintings of Celestial beings in the niche of the 55 meter large Buddha

    Paintings of celestial beings in the niche of the 55 meter large Buddha.

  • Bamiyan devotee in double-lapel caftan

    Devotee in double-lapel caftan, left wall of the niche of the Western Buddha. He has also been described as a Hephthalite.

  • Françoise Foliot - Afghanistan 204

    Buddhas under arcades, niche of the Western Buddha.

  • Bamiyan, the Buddha and devotee in caftan

    Reconsructed mural of Cave G, Bamiyan

  • Bamiyan, devotee in caftan, next to the Buddha

    Devotee in double-lapel caftan, next to the Buddha. Cave G, Bamiyan (detail)

  • Bamiyan. Crowned Buddha mural

    Bamiyan Buddhas, the central one wearing a crown and an Iranian cape.

  • Buddha wearing a crown and cape. Painting in niche I at Bamiyan, 7th century CE

    Buddha wearing a crown and cape. Painting in niche "I" at Bamiyan, 7th century CE

  • Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley-109152

    aller Buddha, after destruction

  • Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley-109154

    maller Buddha, after destruction

  • Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley-130348

    iew of the rock where monasteries and Buddhas are carved

  • Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley-109157

    he landscape of the archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley

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