Ratnagiri "Hill of Jewels"

DESTINATION :- RATNAGIRI, JAJPUR ODISHA

Ratnagiri, one of the most excavated sites among three sites that makes the Buddhist triangle of Odisha popularly known as "Diamond Triangle". 

Excavations have unearthed two monasteries and large stupa followed with several smaller votive stupas all built in the period between 5th - 13th centuries. Terracotta seals were discovered hre bering the name "RATNAGIRI". According to Historians, Ratnagiri was established around 5th century by the Gupta kings and the region flourished till the 13th Century.    

Entrance gate of  Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri is one of the most popular sites of Diamond Triangle of Odisha. It housed a Buddha monastery or Mahavira which was built in the 5th century and its strategic location helps the monks to stay here safely without much fear of invaders. I wander around head to first monastery of Odisha among tourists, where an ornate door, replete with structures carved in green granite leads me to courtyard.     

Inside a shrine is a 12 feet tall Buddha flanked by Padmapani and vajrapani. But what fascinates me is courtyard scattered with different sculptures Buddha. There are 24 cells in this site.   

Ancient budhhist votive stupas at ratnagiri excavation site

These heads probably resemble the ones found in Boarbodur in Indonosia or Anuradhapura in Srilanka. A massive Buddha statue stands here. 

Budhha's structure inside main Complex at Ratangiri

Walking around the Ratnagiri Buddhist Monastery, I see statues lost inside dilapidated cells. I stop by second Ratnagiri Buddhist Monastery but the most important monument here is the giant mahastupa surrounded by several smaller votive stupas, believed to have been built around 9th century. 

Historians however say that there was at earlier stupas here erected by the Guptas. There are smaller stupas surrounding it, arranged in circles. Historians believe that the architecture styles of Odisha inspired the stupas in Borabodur in Indonesia which is probably built much later.  

Standing atop the hill, I take in entire view. The entire site steeped in antiquity and lost in silence. Statues lie scattered everywhere     

The view from Budhhist site Ratangiri

HOW I REACHED :- Far from capital 100 km. via chandikhole paradeep national highway road