Buddhist Sites in Orissa
"Do not speak- unless it improves on
silence" Gautam Buddha...
India is a pilgrimage destination for
people of all faiths. Situated by the shores of the Bay of Bengal,
Orissa from the very beginning has chaperoned the Buddhist
pilgrimages. North-east of Cuttack, about 100 km from Bhubaneswar,
there are Buddhist relics and ruins at the three hilltop complexes of
Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udaygiri, which still bear witness to
Buddhism's fruitful tryst with this region until well into the 13th
century.
¤ Dhauli
The peace pagoda at Dhauli remains at the top of the tourist agenda
for the splendid structure of the stupa and the monastery near it. The
Saddharma Vihar monastery and the Shanti Stupa, built by Buddha
Sangha, in the early seventies, with the influence of Guruji Fuji, is
a place to enjoy eternal peace of mind. The lush green patches in the
surroundings together with Ashoka's edicts, add charm to the pageant.
¤ Ratnagiri
Located in Jajpur district of Orissa, Ratnagiri lies at a distance of
100 km from Bhubaneswar. Encompassed by rivers in all the directions,
this Buddhist heritage site, built in 5 A.D. holds great
archaeological significance. A large-scale excavation has unearthed
two large monasteries, cella sanctum, a big stupa, Buddhist shrines,
sculptures and colossal Buddha.
¤ Lalitgiri
The earliest Buddhist complex, dating back to 1 st century A.D., has
a huge brick monastery, the remains of a Shaitya hall, a number of
enigmatic stupas and a relocated stone Stupa at the apex of a small
rugged sand stone hill (Pushpagiri Hill), dominates the rustic
greenery around. The aura of Buddhism still shines at Lalitgiri with
rock-cut caves, excavated monasteries, viharas, chaityas and sacred
relics in terracotta chambers, making it an important junction of the
Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri triangle.
¤ Udayagiri
About 5 km from Ratnagiri, is Udayagiri, spread over two locations
and the largest Buddhist site in Orissa. While still being unearthed,
the foreground is strewn with statues and stupas. Of the statues
uncovered, the one of Avalokiteshwara with his long flowing tresses is
especially attractive.
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