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Buddhist Spots
 Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri in the Birupa river valley in the district of Jajpur,
is another famous Buddhist centre. The small hill near the village
of the same name has rich Buddhist antiquities. A large-scale excavation
has unearthed two large monasteries, a big stupa, Buddhist shrines,
sculptures, and a large number of votive stupas. This excavation
revealed the establishment of this Buddhist centre at least from
the time of the Gupta king Narasimha Gupta Baladitya (first half
of the sixth century A.D.). Buddhism had developed at this place
- unhindered upto the 12th century A.D.
In the beginning, this was an important centre of Mahayana form
of Buddhism. During the 8th-9th century A.D.,
this became a great centre of Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana art
and philosophy. Pag Sam Jon Zang, a Tibetan source, indicates that
the institution at Ratnagiri played a significant role in the emergence
of Kalachakratantra during the 10th century A.D. This is quite evident
from the numerous votive stupas with reliefs of divinities of the
Vajrayana pantheon. Separate images of these divinities and inscribed
stone slabs, and moulded terracotta plaques with dharanis found
in the excavation at Ratnagiri.
Udayagiri
The largest Buddhist Complex in Orissa, Udayagiri in the district
of Jajpur has assumed further importance after recent excavations
which revealed the ancient name of the monastery as Madhavapura
Mahavihara. The excavations also brought to light a sprawling complex
of brick monastery with a number of Buddhist sculptures. The entire
area is found located at the foothills of a large hill that acts
as an imposing backdrop. The archaeological remains at Udayagiri
consist of a brick stupa, two brick monasteries (one excavated and
the other still unexcavated), a beautiful stepped stone well with
inscriptions on it, and rock-cut sculptures at the top of the hill
behind. Chronologically, the Udayagiri Buddhist Complex is later
than Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri, and the monasteries probably flourished
between the 7th and the 12th centuries A.D.
Dhauli
Just 8km away from Bhuabneswar looking down on the plains that bore
witness to the gruesome war waged on Kalinga by the Mauryan emperor
Ashoka, stand the rock edicts of Dhauli.It was here that King Ashoka
full of remorse renounced his blood thirsty campaign and turned
to Buddhism.the rock edicts are topped by a sculpted elephant, the
unoversal symbol of Lord Buddha. The Shanti Stupa or the peace pagoda,
built through the Indo japaneese collaboration, is located on the
opposite hill.
Bargarh District
The ruins on Gandhamardan Hill are thought by some to be the remains
of the monastery called 'Parimalagiri' by Huien T'sang; Ganiapali
is an early site which has been recently excavated.
Naraj
A picturesque scenic spot, Naraj was a famous seat of Buddhist culture
& learning. The scenic view of the river Mahanadi at the origin
of its branch Kathjodi is simply bewitching.
Jauga da
Jaugada forms a part of the Malati range of hills and occupies an
important place in Ashokan studies. It is the second place in Orissa
where Ashokan rock edicts specially addressed to Kalinga have been
inscribed. Here on a clean surface of granite is an edict of Emperor
Ashoka which provides valuable information about the pattern of
administration followed by the great emperor. About 2 km from Jaugada
is Buddhakhol, where visitors can see images of the Buddhist pantheon
along with the Shaivite shrines.
Banpur
Here bronze statues of the Buddhist pantheon have been excavated.
Balasore District
Sites of interest include Ayodhya, where rich sculptural remains
have been found; Kupari, with the ruins of an old Buddhist temple
and monastery; Solampur where images of Buddha have been discovered;
and Khadipada and Soro, where scattered images can be found.
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General Information on Buddhist Spots in city of Orissa - India
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