The roots of Buddhism in Odisha are ancient as well as deep and it has played an integral role in shaping its religious history. Between the 8th and 10th century AD, when this region was ruled by the Bhauma-Kara dynasty, it was the State religion. The impact of Buddhism lasted in Odisha till the 15th century and today, it is home to more than 200 Buddhist sites.
The most important sites are Udaygiri, Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri. Together they comprise the Diamond Triangle of Buddhist circuit in Odisha. The sites belong to the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism—a Tantric form—also known as Thunderbolt Vehicle or Diamond Vehicle, hence the name.
Ratnagiri
A key site of the triad, Ratnagiri means ‘hill of jewels’. It is the most well excavated site of the Diamond Triangle and offers a peek into Odisha’s rich Buddhist heritage. The site consists of a series of monasteries, temples, shrines, stupas and sculptures. According to some Tibetan texts, the Mahayana and Tantrayana sects of Buddhism originated here. This is the only monastery in India to have a curvilinear roof and the ornately carved rooms take you back to the opulence of the past.
Lalitgiri
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