Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri Orissa

Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri

Ratnagiri
The ruins of ancient Buddhist ruins are located in Jeypore district of Orissa, India. It has most interesting and extensive ruins dated back to Gupta Dynasty, somewhere around 6th century AD. The extensive excavations had been carried out at Ratnagiri and many Buddhist ruins were unearthed from this hill range. The large monastery, which was excavated during 1960s, believed to be of Mahayana sect. According to archaeologists, Ratnagiri was an important center of Mahayana form of Buddhism, also it became later on a popular place of worshiping Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana art and philosophy. The ruins have many sculptured relics on the walls. According to ancient Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, the city saw the success of the Kalchakrayana. The entire monastery consist of 24 cells including courtyard, a shrine, and a lobby. The entrance of monastery is embellished with intricate art and chlorite stones. Another attraction in Ratnagiri are numerous ruined stupas. Large stupas are surrounded by a number of small ones. It is the only place in India where one can see such monolith stupas accumulate in a single place. Ratnagiri boast of a beautiful museum that houses beautiful stone sculptures from three sites.

Udayagiri
Udaygiri is another monastery complex is being excavated here. At present there is a large pyramidal brick stupa with seated Lord Buddha and some beautiful door post carvings. The caves occupy a large area around the south slope of the hill. There are 14 caves, which are distinctive of their own. The most largest and impressive is cave 1, also known as Rani Gumpha or " Queen's Cave". A long frieze across the back wall shows rampaging elephants, panicking monkeys, sword fights and the abduction of a woman, perhaps illustrating episodes from the life of Kalinga's kings Kharavela.

The cave 10 is unique and can be reached by the main steps and climb towards the top of the hill. It is named as " Ganesh Gumpha", named after elephant headed Ganesh carved on the rear wall of the cell on the right. From here, follow the path up to the ledge at the very top of Udaygiri Hill for good views and the ruins of an old Chaitya Hall, believed to the worshiping place for the Jains monks.

Lalitgiri
The three ancient Buddhist ruins are also known as Diamond Triangle. The three hills preserve the ruins of Buddhist complex that once flourished in the state of Orissa. The earliest Buddhist sandstone is Lalitgiri, dates back to 1st century AD. Excavation brought some marvelous relics of erstwhile Buddhist complex. The prime attraction is brick monastery with carvings on the walls. Also temple was excavated with bow shaped arches along with 4 monasteries and huge stupa.

Not only stupas and monasteries but also there were many gold and silver articles were unearthed including a stone container, earthen pot, brahmi script. But the main attraction is no doubt the massive image of Lord Buddha with wrinkled lips, long ears and wide forehead. All these valuable relics are kept in the small museum just few steps downside from the hills.