Context:
Recent archaeological excavations at Ratnagiri have unveiled remarkable artefacts.
Ratnagiri:
- Location – Odisha
- Surrounded by the Brahmani, Kimiria, and Birupa rivers.
- Means “Hill of Jewels” in Odia
- Located in the Assia hill range
- A major center for Vajrayana (Tantrayana) Buddhism.
- Part of the ‘Diamond Triangle’, a collection of 3 Buddhist sites — Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri
- Declined due to invasions in the 13th century but remained active until the 16th century.
Archaeological Findings:
- Buddha Head: Massive Buddha head – the largest ever discovered in Odisha, possibly all of India.
- Votive Stupas: Arranged sequentially, indicating spiritual offerings and pilgrimage significance.
- Monasteries & Shrine Complex: Remains of two monasteries and a central stupa for religious veneration.
- Stone Tablets & Inscriptions: Featuring Sanskrit text in Kutila script (Siddhamatrika), highlighting deep Buddhist connections.
- Buddhist Deities & Symbols – Notable discoveries include a lion pedestal (Buddha’s Simhasana) and votive sculptures of Buddhist deities, such as –
- Amoghasiddhi, one of the five wisdom Buddhas of the Mahayana and Vajrayana tradition
- Ratnasambhava, one of the five meditating Buddhas
- Akshobhya, another wisdom Buddha
- Amitabha, one of the most widely worshipped Buddhist figures in Mahayana Buddhism
- Tara, a female Buddha
- Marici, a popular goddess in Buddhism
- Padmapani, a Bodhisattva; and Cunda, the smith who gave Gautama Buddha his last meal.
- Sculptures are mostly made of Khondalite stone
- Brick and Stone Structures: Displaying advanced masonry techniques.
- Shrine Complex: Unlike ‘chaitya griha’ found in nearby sites, Ratnagiri features a unique shrine complex shape.
Read more about Places Associated with Buddha’s Life and Buddhism
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of Buddha?
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Magadha, Kosala, Vaishali, Vajji, were the kingdoms and regions that were associated with the life of Buddha.