Udayagiri Mahavihara, Odisha, India (Nov 2022)
"Udayagiri, together with Lalitagiri and Ratnagiri, constitutes the famous Diamond Triangle of Buddhist heritage sites in Odisha ... Though the Buddhist remains of Udayagiri were known since 1870, and taken under the protection of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) in 1937, it was only in 1985 that a large-scale excavation was undertaken ... Antiquities unearthed during these excavations suggest a strong Vajrayana influence over the Buddhist establishment at Udayagiri." (Source)
Known as Madhavapura Mahavihara in its day, archaeological finds include a large stupa, two monasteries, an apsidal chaitya with numerous stupas around it (many with fine relief sculpture), a stepped stone well with inscriptions, and lots of statues, coins, and inscriptions. The earliest finds date from the 1st century CE but the site was most active between 7-12th centuries.
At the site entrance
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Maha Stupa, dates from
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7m high stupa with dhyani
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Inspiring locale for study?
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Monastery 1
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Courtyard & rooms (more)
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Chaitya (more)
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Intricately carved doorway
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Doorway relief sculpture
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Inner sanctum (more)
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Red brick work (more)
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Drainage system
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Stupa from monastery 1
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Near monastery 1 (more)
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Path to Monastery 2
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A stupa complex in sight
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Chaitya-Stupa complex
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Apsidal chaitya amid
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A typical stupa
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Sculpture on stupa
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Stupas big and small
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Drainage channel (more)
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Buddhist Ozymandias?
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Lost and found statue
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Monastery 2
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Monks' rooms & courtyard
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Rooms around the
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Chaitya statue
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Typical room (more)
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Monks' rooms & courtyard
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Monks' rooms & courtyard
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Ornately carved pillar
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View of Monastery 2
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Apparently the circular
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Ancient stepped stone
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Bottom of the well (more)
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Statue near site office
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Statues near site office
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Statues near site office
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Statue near site office
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