-| Udaygiri | -
Location: District Jajpur (Orissa)
The Buddhist site of Udaygiri is district Jajpur (Orissa State) on the slope
of a crescent shapped low hill, is located on the right bank of Birupa river.
The excavation carries out by the Archaeological Survey of India has brought
to light remains of huge monastic complex measuring each side 35 meter with
traditional cells, courtyard, sanctum sanctorum, pillared, varandah, gateways
etc for the monks. On the south west corner of the monastry, a huge stupa of
7 meter high was exposed. Special niches or alcoves are provided to enshrines
four unique Dhanyani.
Buddha images viz Akshobhya, Ratnaskambhaya, Amitabha and Amagnasiddhe in east,
south, west and north respectively. The shrine chambers of the monastery contains
a beautifully carved richly depecting, scroll, flora..,.yaksha, kinnars, Naga-Naginas,
Besides Buddha images, sculptures of Buddhist Goddess Tara, Avolokiteswara,
Mitreys, Aparajita, Vasundhara,Jamabbala, Hariti are noteworthy. A large numbers
of others artifcacts are found in excavation including seals and sealings. The
important seal recovered in the excavations reads as “Sri Madhavapura Mahaviharya
Arya Bhikhu Sanghesya..” identified as ancient site of Udaygiri as Madhavapura
Mahaviharya. The remanins. found during the excavation revealed the Buddhist
structures datable to 08th century AD to 12th and 13th century A.D. After the
Buddhist site of Udaygiri was abondaned and fell into disuse.
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