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.
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