Ratnagiri is a splendid Buddhist site that comes under
the Jajpur district of Orissa. It is situated at a
distance of approximately 100 km from Bhubaneswar and 70
km from Cuttack. The site, situated on a small hill,
stands surrounded by rivers from all the sides. As you
climb up to Ratnagiri, you will come across magnificent
views of vast plains, full of lush greenery. Excavations
were carried out at the site and they led to the
unearthing of two large monasteries, one of them being
Sri Ratnagiri Mahavihara Aryabhikshu Sangha.
This monastery stands adorned with gorgeous doorways,
cella sanctum, a huge stupa, Buddhist shrines,
sculptures and a massive idol of Lord Buddha. Ratnagiri
was one of the first sites to be excavated in India in
the period 1957 and 1960. The artifacts and relics found
here have been found to be as old as the reign of
Narasimha Gupta Baladitya of Gupta dynasty, which dates
back to 6th century AD. Initially, the site serves as
one of the most prominent centers of the Mahayana sect
of Buddhism.
With the advent of 8th and 9th century, the focus
shifted to the Tantrik Buddhism or Vajrayana art and
philosophy. One can still see a number of sculptural
relics on the walls, serving as a proof of the
popularity of Vajrayana divinities during that time. As
per the Tibetan account of Pag Sam Jon Zang, Ratnagiri
contributed to the emergence of Kalachakratantra in the
10th century. As you enter the first monastery of
Ratnagiri, you will notice that its walls are adorned
with exquisitely carved stone statues of Vajrapani and
Lokeshwara.
One can also find sculptures based on the Hindu
mythology, in the monastery. There is an isolated
chamber inside its complex, in which a 10 ft idol of
Lord Buddha, engaged in meditation, has been enshrined.
The courtyard has been adorned with a magnificently
carved door. There are a number of other fabulous
sculptural evidences strewn throughout the monastery. In
the second monastery of Ratnagiri, you will come across
a life-size granite statue of Lord Buddha. Ratnagiri
also boasts of a splendid a Hindu temple, dedicated to
Lord Krishna.
The site is known for housing a massive stupa,
which stands encircled by a number of small stupas,
which were donated by the followers of Buddhist
religion. They make Ratnagiri, probably, the only site
in India with such a large number of monolithic stupas.
Wherever you go in Ratnagiri, you will come across
splendid motifs known as Kunjalata and Patralata. These
motifs stands as testimony to the cultural transfer
taking place at that time. Even the Buddhist sculptures
adorning the site reflected the rich art of old times
and have contributed to tourism in Ratnagiri.
Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves
||
Dhauligiri
|| Ratnagiri
|| Lalitagiri |
