[1] Considered one of the centers of learning in ancient Bengal, it is located at Jagjivanpur village, 41 kilometres (25 mi) east of present-day Malda city by road.

The almost square-style mahavihara, Nandadirghi, founded in the 9th century, a similar style was followed in other viharas of eastern India, such as Lalitgiri in Odisha.

Located on the banks of the ancient Tongil River, it is considered one of the Buddhist-religious structures in Bengal.

The quadrangle of the structure has bastion-cum-cells, this type of vihara design can also be observed in Vikramashila Mahavihara.

The main entrance faces the east, and the mahavihara has the vedi (altar) on the west.