Diamond Triangle of Buddhist Sites in Odisha

Syllabus: GS1/ Culture

Context

• UNESCO has reportedly included three Buddhist heritage sites from Odisha- Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, in India’s tentative list for potential recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

About

• The tentative list identifies sites that are of outstanding universal value, either culturally or naturally, and suitable for potential inscription in the World Heritage List
• These sites, collectively known as the ‘Diamond Triangle’, are believed to reflect the spread and evolution of all three major schools of Buddhism: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

Buddhist Site of Lalitagiri, Cuttack

• Location: It is located on Nandapahad hillock in the Assia hill range, within the Birupa river valley.
  • It shows uninterrupted cultural continuity from the 2nd–3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.
• Archaeological Findings: Discovery of an inscribed terracotta sealing reading “Sri Chandraditya Vihara Samagra Arya Bhikshu Sanghasa” (9th–10th century CE).
  • A massive stupa of Theravada phase containing relic caskets of khondalite stone, with inner steatite, silver, and gold caskets.
  • Images from Mahayana and Vajrayana pantheon such as Vajrapani, Manjusri, Tara, Jambhala, Hariti, and Aparajita.

Buddhist Site of Udayagiri, Jajpur

• Location: It is situated in the Assia hill range on the right bank of the Birupa River.
  • It is also known as “Sunrise Hill” due to its east-facing crescent-shaped hill.
• Architectural Importance: Discovery of a massive Chaityagriha showing architectural evolution from circular to apsidal to rectangular.
  • Sculptures of Avalokiteswara (colossal), Tara, Manjusri, Bhrikuti, Hariti, Chunda, Maitreya, Vairochana, Vasudhara, and others.
  • Inscriptions with Buddhist Dharanis on terracotta plaques and stone tablets.

Buddhist Site of Ratnagiri, Jajpur

• Location: It is located in the Assia hill range on the left bank of the Kelua River, a distributary of the Brahmani.
  • It is also Known as the “Hill of Jewels”.
• Patronage: It received major patronage from the Bhaumakara dynasty (8th–10th century CE).
• Copperplate inscription records residence of Queen Karpurashri, indicating female patronage.

Source: UNESCO