Diamond Triangle of Buddhist Sites in Odisha

Brief Context

Context UNESCO has reportedly included three Buddhist heritage sites from Odisha- Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, in India’s tentative list for potential recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. About The tentative list identifies sites that are of outstanding universal value, either culturally or naturally, and suitable for potential inscription in the World Heritage List These sites, collectively known as the ‘Diamond Triangle’, are believed to reflect the spread and evolution of all th

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Syllabus: GS1/ Culture

Context

• UNESCO has reportedly included three Buddhist heritage sites from Odisha- Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, in India’s tentative list for potential recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

About

• The tentative list identifies sites that are of outstanding universal value, either culturally or naturally, and suitable for potential inscription in the World Heritage List
• These sites, collectively known as the ‘Diamond Triangle’, are believed to reflect the spread and evolution of all three major schools of Buddhism: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

Buddhist Site of Lalitagiri, Cuttack

• Location: It is located on Nandapahad hillock in the Assia hill range, within the Birupa river valley.
  • It shows uninterrupted cultural continuity from the 2nd–3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.
• Archaeological Findings: Discovery of an inscribed terracotta sealing reading “Sri Chandraditya Vihara Samagra Arya Bhikshu Sanghasa” (9th–10th century CE).
  • A massive stupa of Theravada phase containing relic caskets of khondalite stone, with inner steatite, silver, and gold caskets.
  • Images from Mahayana and Vajrayana pantheon such as Vajrapani, Manjusri, Tara, Jambhala, Hariti, and Aparajita.

Buddhist Site of Udayagiri, Jajpur

• Location: It is situated in the Assia hill range on the right bank of the Birupa River.
  • It is also known as “Sunrise Hill” due to its east-facing crescent-shaped hill.
• Architectural Importance: Discovery of a massive Chaityagriha showing architectural evolution from circular to apsidal to rectangular.
  • Sculptures of Avalokiteswara (colossal), Tara, Manjusri, Bhrikuti, Hariti, Chunda, Maitreya, Vairochana, Vasudhara, and others.
  • Inscriptions with Buddhist Dharanis on terracotta plaques and stone tablets.

Buddhist Site of Ratnagiri, Jajpur

• Location: It is located in the Assia hill range on the left bank of the Kelua River, a distributary of the Brahmani.
  • It is also Known as the “Hill of Jewels”.
• Patronage: It received major patronage from the Bhaumakara dynasty (8th–10th century CE).
• Copperplate inscription records residence of Queen Karpurashri, indicating female patronage.

Source: UNESCO