ODISHA Travel 2

Continuing with my Odisha travel,  today, I am going to talk about the Odisha Diamond Triangle Udhayagiri, Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri. These 3 monuments stood witness to the Diamond era of Buddhism in India. We started our journey early in the morning on the 25th January 2020, from Bhubaneswar with our driver cum guide Arun, who was a fantastic company.  

  Udhayagiri Monastery

The first stop was Udhayagiri Monastery is known as the Madhavapura Mahavihara. The entire monastery complex was built using stone and bricks. The main Stupa is 7 meters (23feet) high. According to Archaeological Survey India (ASI) this monument would have been built during the 8th century. 

The Main Stupa at Udhayagiri

Below are several Buddha statues that can be found in the Udhayagiri Monastery complex site. Many of it have been destroyed owing to passing of time but others have been known to be destroyed by invaders. 

Jatamukuta Lokeswara

Dhyani Buddha

Avaloketisvara

Dharmachakra Buddha

Udhayagiri is also known as the Hill of the rising sun. This is also considered to be the largest excavated site by the ASI. Here there are 2 sites Udhayagiri 1 and 2. Both are within a large parameter under the administration of ASI. We had a wonderful guy who works for the ASI who volunteered to give us an insight on this archaeological site. 

Udhayagiri Site 2 Entrance to The main Stupa

A Closer look at the Stone Craving on the Main Entrance

Monastery 2 Complex

Ancient Drainage

Ruins at Udhayagiri 2

Stupas Believed To Be The Burial Place of Monks

The ASI has taken efforts to restore structures that are falling apart, so as to stabilize the said from further damage. The lighter coloured base are the restored surface.

These are rooms located within the Monastery Complex for Monks to stay and meditate

The Dhayani Buddha Located in a Brick Stupa at Udhayagiri 2

Avalokiteswara Buddha

A stone Pillar

A functional Kali Temple Located at The Udhayagiri Site

We offered our obeisance to Mahakali, said our prayers, and sought her blessings for a meaningful journey ahead. Sitting inside this ancient shrine felt very energetic and refreshing after a long track between Udhayagiri 1 and 2.

An ancient Step Well located at Udhayagiri 2

The Well.

Our next stop was at Ratnagiri, which is considered to be one of the most revered archaeological site by the ASI. Ratnagiri is also known as the Hill of Jewels. According to ASI this site was established by the Gupta Kings, including Ashoka, beginning of the 5th Century.. This particular monastery professed the Mahayana Buddhism and also played an important role in Vajrayana, or Tantric Buddhism. 

Mini Stupas at The Entry of Ratnagiri

The Main Entrance To The Monastery Complex at Ratanagiri

Statue of Pancika at The Entrance To Ratnagiri Complex

Dhyani Buddha At Ratnagiri

Vajrapani (Protector) at Ratnagiri

For the curious, JataMukuta Buddha is synonymous with Tantric Buddhism which is very much prevalent in Tibet. Interestingly many people may not know that the reference to the mystic land of Shangri La or Shambala by the Tibetans, actually denotes the city of Shambalpur in Odisha. The relationship between Tibetans and and the rich Dakshina Kosala dynasty that predates the Kalingan dynasty is mentioned in various Puranas (ancient text), including the Mahabaratha. The Dakshina Kosala kingdom fell to the Gupta Dynasty under the reign of Samudragupata circa AD350. Even Ptolemy has mentioned about Shambalaka located in the Mahanadi river, in his writings. Hence it would not be wrong to attach great importance to Ratnagiri as a centre of Buddhist teaching located at the eastern end of the Mahanadi river with the Tibetan link. 

Colossal Buddha Head

According to the 12th century Buddhist text, Chaturasiti Siddha Pravritti, it was King Indhirabhuthi who founded Vajrayana Buddhism, where the text claim that it was Buddha himself who appeared before the King who reigned Shambala of Oddiyana (or known as Ottiyan in Tamil or Ottiyam in Telegu both Dravidian language), and taught King Indhirabuthi tantric Buddhism. By virtue of that the King was also known as Mahasiddhi (or "He who has mastered all 8 Siddha knowledge*")

Further the Buddhist text also mentions that King Indhirabuthi, found a male child floating on a lotus flower, and the King brought him up as his own child and named him Padmasaambhava, who in turn was instrumental in bringing Buddhism to Tibet, Sikkim and other North Eastern territories of Bharat (pardon the use of this word, but the word India was non existent then.

Mahakala Temple at Ratnagiri

Regardless one factor is definitely archaeologically well founded, that the Buddhist Monks of the Diamond Triangle were instrumental in bringing the Vajrayana Buddhism to the North Eastern territories of Bharat.    The word Vajra means diamond or thunderbolt in Sanskrit, and it is also an instrument used in tantric rituals by the Tibetan Buddhists. Interestingly in Rig Veda (one of the Vedic scriptures) it is written that Lord Indhira uses the weapon called Vajraayutham. In all 3 traditions ie. Vedic, Buddhism and Jainism Lord Indhira appears as a significant character. Even in European traditions, similarities of Lord Indhira can be attached to Jupiter (Roman), Perun (Slavic), Perkunas (Baltic), Taranis (Celtic), Zeus (Greek) and Thor (Germanic/Norse). 

Lalitgiri 

And finally our day ended at Lalitgiri the Crimson Hill, the 3rd ancient Buddhist archaeological site in Odishsa. Lalitgiri has been found to have an unbroken Buddhist tradition from 3rd BC to 10 Century AD. 

Lalitgiri Stupas

Couldn't resist taking this picture of Cute Puppies having

an evening siesta at Lalitgiri 

Lalitgiri Stupa

The significance of this site is that, the ASI excavated 2 stone caskets with Buddha relics. Within each of the casket they found 3 boxes each made of soapstone, gold and silver, and in the gold box they found a small piece of bone, believed to be of the Buddha. The famous ancient Chinese traveler and chronicler Hsuan Tsang, has mentioned of the relics in one of his literature. The golden caskets are kept as exhibit  in a bullet proof glass casing in the newly built museum at the foot of the Monastery complex. Photography is prohibited, so couldn't get one. The ASI also believes that besides Buddha's relics, the casket also houses the bones of Sariputta and Mahamogallana, both known to be the Buddha's prominent disciples.

An Enthusiastic Couple

Thus ended our day with utmost satisfaction. For Greeja being a Buddhist, our visit to the Odisha Diamond Triangle gave her a special meaning. Stepping on this holy ground, once roamed by Kings, Monks and sundries of ancient time, gave us a phantasmagorical feel.

Will catch up soon on my next journal entry, on my trip to Odisha in Odisha Travel 3.

Ravi Varmman

21.34

Port Dickson

150122020

To the curious:

The *8 Siddha knowledge:

Anima Siddhi

The ability to become smallest in size is known as Anima Siddhi. By attaining this siddhi the practitioner can reduce one’s body even to the size of an atom or even become invisible. He becomes supernaturally strong and congenial.

Mahima Siddhi

Is the ability to expand one's body to an infinite large size. By attaining this siddhi the practitioner is able to expand the size of his body larger than the universe. He can attain the power equivalent to god who has created the universe.

Garima Siddhi

The ability to become infinitely heavy is known as Garmia siddhi. The practitioner can make himself as heavy as he desires to be and cannot be moved by anyone or anything.

Laghima Siddhi

The power to become weightless or lighter than air can be achieved from Laghima siddhi. The practitioner can become any creature on this earth and enter into his body after attaining this siddhi.

Prapti Siddhi

The ability to construct anything is known as Prapti siddhi. The practitioner can achieve anything he desired through this siddhi. There is nothing impossible for him to get such as providing water in the deserted area.

Prakamya Siddhi

Is the ability to become whatever the practitioner desires. The thoughts of the person changes drastically and experiences a flow of supernatural energies. By achieving this ability the practitioner is able to do anything he wants. He can fly in the sky or walk on the water.

Ishita Siddhi

Knowing all powers and getting a control over them is known as Ishita Siddhi. The practitioner is able to get control on all the elements of universe and possess absolute lordship. He gets the privilege to  practice lordship on anyone from states to empires. He gets converted into god himself.

Vashita Siddhi

Or Vashikaran is the ability of getting a control on life and death. With the help of this siddhi one attain control over all kinds of  living and non -living things. The one who excels in this siddhi can influence any person on this earth.