Retracing the Buddhist Path

Odisha has become a prominent state to discover the buddhist connection. During excavations, many places have been unearthed that testify this tale.

The state’s Buddhist connection is steeped in antiquity. The earliest references to the Buddha are in the Buddhist chronicles that mention his hair relic, and the nail and tooth relics that were also brought to Odisha much later. Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang, who visited India in the seventh century, wrote a vivid account of Buddhism flourishing in Odra. Modern Jajpur (Biraja) is considered to be the seat of Mahayana Buddhism. The reign of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka provided a boost to the spread of Buddhism in the region. Buddhism was so important that, from the eighth to the 10th centuries, it was the state religion. It was dominant until the 15th century and innumerable chaityas, stupas, viharas, edicts and inscriptions bear testimony to the heritage.

LALITGIRI HILL

At Lalitgiri, Buddhist ruins and remains date back to the first century. It is perhaps one of the earliest Buddhist complexes in the area. The excavations at Lalitgiri have unearthed ruins of a large brick monastery, the remains of the Chaitya hall, a number of votive stupas and a renovated stone stupa at the top of a small, rugged sandstone hill. A casket containing sacred relics, perhaps belonging to the Tathagat himself, has been discovered in the stone stupa. The museum at Lalitgiri has several Mahayana sculptures including gigantic Boddhisattva statues, and statues of Tara and Jambhala, among others.

UDAYGIRI HILL