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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resumed excavations at the ancient Buddhist site of Ratnagiri in Odisha’s Jajpur district, unveiling monumental discoveries that underline its rich religious, cultural, and maritime legacy. This renewed effort comes more than 60 years after the site was first excavated between 1958 and 1961.

About Ratnagiri

• Meaning: Ratnagiri translates to “Hill of Jewels.”
• Location: Situated on a hill between the Brahmani and Birupa rivers, northeast of Bhubaneswar.
• Part of the Diamond Triangle: Along with Lalitgiri and Udaygiri, Ratnagiri forms Odisha’s famed “Diamond Triangle” of Buddhist heritage sites.
• Historical Period: Flourished between the 5th and 13th centuries CE, peaking under the Bhauma-Kara dynasty (8th–10th century CE).
• Buddhist School: An important centre for Mahayana and especially Vajrayana (Tantrayana) Buddhism.
• It possibly rivalled Nalanda in prominence as a Buddhist learning centre.
• The monastery complex at Ratnagiri is the only one in India with a curvilinear roof, once housing about 500 monks.

Recent Discoveries by ASI

• Three colossal Buddha heads, each measuring 3–4 feet.
• A massive palm sculpture, 5 feet in size.
• Hundreds of votive stupas, sculptures of Buddhist deities.
• A monolithic elephant statue, 5 feet long and 3.5 feet tall.
• Pottery, inscribed stones, beads, stone pillars, and a brick wall believed to be part of a larger structure.
• Rich ceramic assemblages, which may shed light on the region’s cultural and technological evolution.

These artefacts are estimated to date back to the 8th and 9th centuries CE and are believed to enhance understanding of Buddhism’s evolution in Odisha and its linkages with other cultures.

Buddhism in Odisha & Southeast Asian Links

• Buddhism gained a strong foothold in Odisha after Emperor Ashoka’s conquest of Kalinga (modern-day Odisha) in 261 BCE, a turning point that led him to embrace Buddhism.
• Though Buddha never visited Odisha, the region became instrumental in spreading Buddhism to Southeast Asia, especially during the Bhauma-Kara period.
• The state maintained robust maritime trade and cultural links with regions like Java, Bali, Sumatra, Borneo, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
• Baliyatra Festival: A vibrant annual event held in Cuttack, commemorating Odisha’s ancient seafaring ties with Bali and other Southeast Asian regions.
• According to some studies, Chinese monk Hiuen Tsang may have visited Ratnagiri during his travels in India (638–639 CE).

Significance of the Renewed Excavations

• The ASI aims to uncover partially visible structures, complete the site’s mapping, and contextualize the findings within the broader Buddhist history of India and Southeast Asia.
• Researchers hope to discover signs of foreign architectural or cultural influences, further confirming ancient Odisha’s global Buddhist and trade connections.
• The discoveries reaffirm Ratnagiri’s importance as a cornerstone of Buddhist learning and art, potentially on par with other renowned ancient centres like Nalanda and Vikramashila.