Udayagiri, Odisha
Udayagiri | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Buddhism |
Status | Preserved |
Location | |
Location | India |
State | Odisha |
Geographic coordinates | 20°38′30″N 86°16′09″E / 20.6416°N 86.2692°E |
Buddha's Holy Sites |
Udayagiri (
Location
Udayagiri is situated in the foothills, 90 kilometres (56 mi) to the north-east from Bhubaneswar,[4] and 70 kilometres (43 mi) north-east of Cuttack in Jajpur district.[1][2] As the crow flies, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri are about 11 km apart, and both about 7 km from Lalitgiri. The site now recognised as Puspagiri is some 18 km distant from Udaygiri, the closest to it of the "triangle" sites.
Findings
Numerous excavations by the
During the recent investigations conducted between 2001 and 2004 the antiquities unearthed included a stone finish flooring in the foreground of the excavated monastery, the main drain of the monastery flowing out to the north, a large stone raised platform 14.05 by 13.35 metres (46.1 ft × 43.8 ft) in size built in seven layers with
Images of Tara in the form of Tara Kurukulla or Kurukulla Tara have been reported from Udayagiri and also from Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri; these are an emanation form of Amitābha seated in a lalitasana posture.[5] Images of Hariti have been found in Udayagiri and also in Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri. This image portrays the goodess in a seated position breast feeding a child or with the child seated on its lap. Hariti was once a child abductor, but Buddha persuaded her to become the protector of children.[6]
Also seen in the western, southern and northern parts of the chaitya-griha are remnants of a number of stupas in three groups, built in stone with only their plain plinths seen in a preserved state. An important discovery in the precincts of the chaitya-griha, is of statues of Avalokiteswara, Tathāgata, Bhikruti-Tara and Chunda embedded in niches, marking the four cardinal points. Other findings are of 14 stupas (built in brick with mud mortar) dated between the 1st and 12th centuries, and also many 5th- to 13th-century epigraphs. Votive stupas, made of stone, are also seen along a stone paved path. At the eastern part of the chaitya-griha are residential houses consisting of six rooms with artifacts of domestic goods.[4] Though located only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away from Ratnagiri, the site has not revealed any artifacts which could provide a link to the Vajrayana tantric cult found at Ratnagiri.[1]
Gallery
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Stupas of Udayagiri Buddhist complex, Odisha
References
- ^ a b c d e "Udayagiri". Government of Odisha, Department of Tourism.
- ^ a b c d Kumar, Arjun (22 March 2012). "Sounds of silence at Buddhist sites in Odisha, Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri". Economic times.
- ^ Hoiberg & Ramchandani 2000, pp. 175–176.
- ^ a b c d e f "Excavations – 2000–2005 – Orissa". Various Udaygiri-2, dt. Jajpur. Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
- ^ Session 2000, p. 74.
- ^ Session 2000, p. 76.
Bibliography
- Hoiberg, Dale; Ramchandani, Indu (2000). Students' Britannica India. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-0-85229-760-5.
- Session, Indian Art History Congress (2000). Proceedings of Indian Art History Congress. Indian Art History Congress.
Further reading
- Donaldson, Thomas Eugene, Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Odisha, 2001, Abhinav Publications, , given figure numbers.