Buddhist Excursions in India
The Buddhist heritage in Orissa, though not as popular in the tourist circuit, is remarkable for its architectureal wealth.The Kalinga war, which transformed Emperor Ashoka into a devout Buddhist was fought on the banks of the river Daya near the temple city of Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa. Bhubaneshwar is well connected by rail and road to the rest of the country.
Ashoka's rock edicts
Ashoka's rock edicts, dating from 260 BC, at Dhauli, 8 kms from Bhubaneshwar, stand testimony to his conversion to the gentle faith of the Buddha. These two 'Kalinga Edicts' differ from other Ashoka edicts which expound Buddhist principles. Dating from 260 BC the Dhauli edicts give detailed instructions to Ashoka's administratiors to rule his subjects with gentleness and fairness.
Six kilometres from Bhubaneshwar are the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, dating from 2nd century BC, on two separate hillocks separated by a road. At Udayagiri is the famous Hati Gumpha (elephant cave) of King Kharavela. There are several caves worth visiting with stone figures from the Buddhist pantheon and fine wall friezes.
The three sites of Ratnagiri, Udaigiri and Lalitagiri, constitute a separate circuit, well connected by road to Bhubaneshwar. Ratnagiri in the fertile Birupa river valley, 90 kms from Bhubaneshwar, was a great centre of Vajrayana Buddhist till the 12th century and the Mahavihara of Ratnagiri played a great role in the development of the Kalachakratantra during the 10th century. Today, pilgrims can see the remains of this monastic university along with the beautiful sculpted panels that reveal the intricate motifs on the niches.
In Udaigiri, 5 kms from Ratnagiri, the remains of a sprawling monastery has been recently excavated, that can be reached through a long stairway. Rock-cut sculptures adorn the hilltop. Lalitagiri is situated on a small hill and has a large number of votive stupas and the remains of a chaitya hall. Also noteworthy are the large number of Buddha figures housed in the site museum. There is a stone carver's village that has survived from ancient times where excellent sculptures are often to be found.
