Lalitgiri - A Buddhist Center

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.


¤ History

Hieun Tsang, the famous Chinese globe-trotter of 7th century, was amazed to see the Pushpagiri University under the Buddhist complex at Lalitgiri and its synergism with other places of the triangle. He even wrote of a magnificent stupa on hill top which emitted a brilliant light because of its sacredness. In the 8th century, Lalitgiri became an important center for Tantric Buddhism or the Vajrayana school of art and philosophy.


¤ Heritage

The site-museum of the ASI here displays a number of Mahayana sculptures consisting of life-size figures, most of which contain short inscriptions on them. The recent excavations have made the place more popular among tourists, due to the findings of many ancient sculptures and other items, which are important in archaeological context. A lot of evidences support their link to Gandharva and Mathura school of architecture. Excavations on the hill-top brought to light an extensive Buddhist establishment consisting of a Mahachaitya, stupas, chaityagrihas, a congregation hall, platforms, viharas, kitchen-cum-store complex, pottery, tiles, iron objects, moulded bricks, coins etc.,many of which are present at the State Museum, Bhubaneswar. The heritage site is open from 6 am in the morning till 6 pm in the evening.


¤ Nearby Excursions

Langudi Hill
Just round the corner of this excavated site, is Langudi Hill. Excavations unearthed a cluster of splendid rock-cut stupas, two unique Buddha images in samadhi mudra, harmonic umbrella, sculptures of Goddess Tara and Panchadhyani Buddha.

¤ How to Reach

Drive down or catch a bus from Cuttack, which is 55 km from Lalitgiri.