Description

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Context

Recent excavations at Ratnagiri have unearthed three colossal Buddha heads, a giant palm, an ancient wall, and inscriptions, underscoring the site's historical importance.

Odisha’s Diamond Triangle: A Lost Buddhist Legacy

Deep in Odisha’s Jajpur and Cuttack districts, the Diamond Triangle—Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri—holds the remnants of a once-thriving Buddhist civilization. These sites, flourishing between the 5th and 13th centuries CE, saw their peak under the Bhaumakara dynasty (8th–10th century CE), known for patronizing Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.

What Makes These Sites Special?

Ratnagiri	A major Buddhist centre, home to monasteries, stupas, and exquisite sculptures. Recent excavations uncovered massive Buddha heads, an ancient wall, and inscriptions, offering fresh insights into its past.
Lalitgiri	The oldest among the three, it’s famous for stupas and relic caskets—some even believe they contain Buddha’s remains.
Udayagiri	The largest of the three, once called Madhavapura Mahavihara. Its stupas, terracotta artifacts, and detailed Buddhist sculptures tell tales of an era long gone.

Why Is It in the News?

Recent Excavations: Archaeologists unearthed gigantic Buddha heads and inscriptions at Ratnagiri, dating back to the 8th-9th century CE.

Buddhist Revival: In January 2025, over 1,500 monks, including international delegates, meditated at these sites.

Tourism Focus: The government is actively working to develop Odisha’s Buddhist circuit, aiming to put it on the global heritage map.

Some other prominent Buddhist sites

Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, Bharhut, Madhya Pradesh, Bodhgaya, Bihar, Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar, Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, Kapilavastu, Uttar Pradesh, Ajanta caves, Maharashtra, Ellora caves, Maharashtra,, Pitalkhora, Maharashtra, Sirpur, Chhattisgarh, Nalanda, Bihar, Odantapuri, Bihar, Vikramashila, Bihar, Rajgir, Bihar, Vaishali, Bihar, Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, Sankisa, Uttar Pradesh, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, Dhauli, Odisha, Ladakh, Sikkim, Bharatpur Buddhist Monastery Complex, West Bengal

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q:With reference to the Buddhist heritage of India, consider the following statements regarding the Diamond Triangle of Odisha:

Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri, known as the Diamond Triangle, were prominent centres of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.
The Bhaumakara dynasty played a significant role in patronizing these Buddhist sites.
The recent excavations at Ratnagiri have uncovered colossal Buddha heads and relic caskets believed to contain Buddha’s remains.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (A)

Statement 1 is correct: The Diamond Triangle of Odisha (Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri) was a major centre of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.

Statement 2 is correct: The Bhaumakara dynasty (8th–10th century CE) actively supported these sites, contributing to their expansion.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Recent excavations at Ratnagiri have revealed colossal Buddha heads and inscriptions, but relic caskets were found at Lalitgiri, not Ratnagiri.