Buddha Statues of Bamiyan

Salsal and Shahmama

Salsal (light of the universe) and Shahmama ( Queen Mother) were once the largest standing Buddha statues in the world. Until they were destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001, they were located in the 2,500 meter high, predominantly Hazara- inhabited valley of Bamiyan , which is located in the center of Afghanistan andas a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The two largest and most famous of these statues were 53 and 35 m high, respectively. In addition, a whole series of other, smaller Buddha statues were incorporated into the rock cliff there. They are historical evidence of a unique Graeco-Buddhist art that was practiced there from around the 3rd to the 10th century. The niches of the statues have now been secured and their rubble recovered. There are efforts to rebuild the statues. Aid funds were also promised for this purpose, but no concrete decision was made.
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