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Odisha's Diamond Triangle: Part of the state's Buddhist heritage

Odisha is known for the famous triangular holy sites of Bhubaneshwar-Konark and Puri. However, very few people know about the Diamond Triangle of Odisha which is home to some of the most beautiful Buddhist relics and heritage.

Buddhism and Odisha have had a long history, the most popular connect is the one between King Ashoka who not only became a follower of Buddhism but also took steps to propagate it across the world.

So much so under the influence of Buddhism Ashoka gave up all conquests and became a pacifist.

But despite that Odisha’s Buddhist heritage is lesser known than its counterparts in other parts of the country.

The Diamond Triangle of Odisha consists of three Buddhist sites namely, Ratnagiri, Udaygiri and Lalitgiri. Odisha was, in fact, the cradle of Vajrayana or Tantric or esoteric Buddhism, which originated from Bengal and then spread to other parts of India and Asia. This sect of Buddhism is hailed as the purest form of Buddhism by its followers. This sect of Buddhism is also known as the Diamond Vehicle and so comes the name Diamond Triangle. The Ratnagiri Mahavihara was an important centre of Tantric Buddhism.

Odisha’s Buddhist sites were first discovered in 1869, by a sub-divisional officer who found two mounds within a deep jungle. He also found a large number of relics and other antiques at that place. Later in 1890, another official discovered a huge mound full of rare antiques at Ratnagiri. After this the sites of Lalitgiri and Udaygiri were unearthed.

The discovery of these large numbers of sculptures, images, pottery, coins, tablets and the huge stupas led to the conclusion that this place was actually the ruins of a university complex Pushpagiri Mahavihara. These three places also find mention in the writings of the famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang or Xuanzang as the centre of Buddhist learning as elite and famous as the Nalanda, Takshila and Vikramshila universities. Hiuen Tsang visited India during 627 – 643 AD. These centre of excellence flourished during the period 5th to 11th Century.

The three sites are located in the Jajpur district of Odisha about 75 km northeast of Bhubaneswar.

Udaygiri
There is a path beside the step well that led to the first Monastery, called the Madhavpura Mahavihara and has one large stupa, an open meeting place. The monastery was believed to be two-storied though now only the ground floor remains. There is a giant statue of Lord Buddha inside the Stupa.

Close by is another site, which also has a monastery called the Sinhaprastha Mahavihara. This place also has a Chaitya Stupa complex with several smaller stupas and a shrine complex.

Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri, as the name suggests means the “hill of jewel”. This is the most excavated site of the trio and stands atop a small hillock. A flight of stairs leads to an open space containing several votive stupas, which are miniature versions of the stupas that were consecrated as a votive offering.

The monasteries at Ratnagiri were built around 6th to 12th century. The site has two monasteries and a large stupa surrounded by smaller ones. The monastery at Ratnagiri has a strategic advantage over its position, as it gave the monks the much-needed seclusion and protection.

There is a beautifully carved gate as the entrance to a large courtyard. The door frame made of green granite was intricately carved with motifs and designs.

On the left side of the door, there is a huge Buddha head followed by many other heads of Lord Buddha of various sizes. These heads resemble the ones in Borobudur in Indonesia and Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka.

At the farthest end of the courtyard, there is a massive 12 feet statue of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra. There are two statues of Vajrapani and Padmapani on either side of the giant Buddha statue.

Lalitgiri
The third site of the Diamond Triangle is the site of Lalitgiri or the ‘crimson hill’ which dates back to the 1st century. Lalitgiri is considered to be the holiest of the sites of Golden Triangle as it had unearthed a casket containing the sacred relic considered to be of Lord Buddha himself. The tooth of Buddha in the form of a bone was excavated from a stone casket inside a stupa.

Lalitgiri has four monasteries, but the main attraction of the place is the u-shaped Chaityagriha, surrounded by votive stupas. The sacred relic was found among one of these stupas.

At the far end of the complex, there is a 45 steps stairway that leads to the Mahastupa, a giant circular stupa.

There is also a museum here that houses beautiful and illustrious relics, statues and figurines of Lord Buddha in various forms and other Buddhist pantheons.

The Diamond Triangle of Odisha shows that Buddhism was followed quite widely in Odisha and the place was also a centre of learning and excellence. Time and other historical incidents have led to a decay and decline of this rich heritage and these places were lost in the annals of time.

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