Located about 100 km North – East of Bhubaneswar,
in Jajpur District, there are three places collectively called the Diamond
Triangle. Ratnagiri,Udayagiri andLalitagiri showcase
Odisha’s Buddhist past.
During his
visit to India in 639 AD, Chinese
traveller Xuanzang had mentioned about the place as “Pusi-po-kili”,
situated somewhere in Wu-cha (Modern
day Odisha ). It was a Buddhist centre of learning and believed
to be at par with their famed counterparts of Nalanda&Taxila.
These places were once being regarded as one of
the biggest Buddhist places in India, but sadly these are also the least
promoted ones.
RatnaGiri:
It is situated at the hill top, and provides a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Among the excavated sites, there exist 2 large monasteries, One MahaStupa and many old rock Stupas.
The first thing you will notice while climbing
the top is large collection of small votive stupas. (8th - 11th Century A.D.)
[votivestupas, 8th - 11th Century A.D.]
The large courtyard is filled with excavated
rocks which include small and large motifs, many small stupas and statues.
The larger Monastery
( 8th - 11th Century A.D.) is eye-catching with a captivating rock door frame.
Entering into the monastery, you will find a large courtyard.
[Monastery -1, 8th - 11th Century A.D.]
At the end, there is an inner sanctum which holds
3 statues. There is a large statue of Buddha, with his bhumisparsha position
along with two smaller statues of Padmapani and Vajrapani on either side.
The second Monastery ( 8th - 10th Century A.D.)
is a little smaller and lies next to the main monastery. Its inner sanctum
holds one small statue of Buddha in standing position.
The highest point of the site is filled with many
small and large stupas (some are arranged in circles) , but the Mahastupa
(Giant Stupa) ( 8th - 10th Century A.D.), is the one to look out for. Made from
red bricks, the structure still speaks the extravagance of the place at that
time.
[MahaStupa, 8th - 10th Century A.D.]
There is also a museum containing several
artifacts recovered from the excavation.
UdayaGiri:
It is the least excavated of all. Walking uphill, you will come across many big statues of Buddha in different positions.
There is also a rock-cut stepped well (9th - 11th
Century A.D.) which is unique in its kind.
LalitGiri:
It is the largest in terms of areas that are
excavated. It consists of many monasteries, a large U-shaped Chaityagriha and a
Giant Stupa.
[Monastery -1, 8th - 11th Century A.D.]
[Monastery - 3, 4th - 8th Century A.D.]
[Monastery -4, 8th - 11th Century A.D.]
[ChaityaGriha, 1st Century B.C - 7th Century A.D.]
These places were long lost, buried with time.
When I saw and imagined their existence, some 1500 years back, it was like
time-travel for me. At the end of it, the explorer in me wanted to stay there. I actually wanted to be there when those places were at
the peak of their extravagance.
How to Reach:
- The places are located at a distance of 100 KMs from Bhubaneswar and well-connected road which are in very good condition.
- There are sign boards all along the roads to these places. It would be good if you have GPS.
😍😍😍😍
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