ABOUT THE

Attraction

With a Buddhist complex dating back to the 1st century AD, Lalitgiri is said to be one of the oldest Buddhism sites excavated in India. The majestic ruins of a huge brick monastery, the remains of a chaitya hall, a number of votive stupas and a renovated stone stupa at the top of a small sandstone hill dominate the rural green landscape around. A museum at the site displays a large number of Mahayana sculptures with colossal Buddha figures, huge Boddhisattva statues, statues of Goddess Tara, Jambhala and others. Interestingly, most of these sculptures contain short inscriptions on them. The standing Buddha figures, with knee length draperies over the shoulders remind one of the influence of the Gandhara and Mathura school of art. The Bodhisattva statues found here are some of the most finely sculpted figures found in India. The discovery of golden caskets in 1985, containing bone relics, probably of Buddha himself, from the stone stupa at the top of the hill, further enhances the sacredness of the stupa as well as of Lalitgiri for Buddhists around the world. 

The nearest major city is Cuttack, 70 km away.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

OTHER ATTRACTIONS


Dhauligiri

Dhauligiri


Dhauligiri holds a very important place in the spread of Buddhism. It is said that the plains adjacent to the Dauli hill is where the Kalinga war was fought in 262 BC, after which, Mauryan emperor Ashoka, one of the most prominent followers of Buddhism, renounced violence and took to Lord Buddha's path.

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Langudi


The Buddhist ruins here indicate that this place was a significant centre of the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana sects of Buddhism.

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Langudi
Udayagiri

Udayagiri


The largest Buddhist complex in Odisha.

Read More

Dhauligiri

Dhauligiri


Dhauligiri holds a very important place in the spread of Buddhism. It is said that the plains adjacent to the Dauli hill is where the Kalinga war was fought in 262 BC, after which, Mauryan emperor Ashoka, one of the most prominent followers of Buddhism, renounced violence and took to Lord Buddha's path.

Read More

Langudi

Langudi


The Buddhist ruins here indicate that this place was a significant centre of the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana sects of Buddhism.

Read More

Udayagiri

Udayagiri


The largest Buddhist complex in Odisha.

Read More