Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Cuttack - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Cuttack): 58 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day

Place Location: Near Jajpur

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 58 km from Cuttack, and 82 km from Bhubaneswar, Lalitagiri, also known as Nalitagiri, is Buddhist complex situated near Jajpur in Odisha. It is the major Buddhist complex in the state, and among the most visted Cuttack tourist places.

Lalitgiri is part of the Buddhist Diamond Triangle in Orissa the other two being the nearby Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. The monastery built in the 1st Century AD is the oldest known Buddhist monastery in the state of Odisha. Though the site was discovered in 1905, it was excavated as late as 1985-1991, based on the chronicles of the famous Chinese Traveler Hiuen T'sang, excavations are still being carried out at the site. The findings indicate the Monastery propagated both the Hinayana and Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Later on under the influence of Bhaumakara King's it embraced Vajrayana sect of Buddhism (Tantric Buddhism). Thus the monastery survived till the 13th century AD.

Declared a protected monument by the central government in 1937, the comlex consists of a main stupa, numerous monasteries, a stupa complex, and a newly built museum. The ASI excavated the Maha Stupa between 1985 and 1991, revealing a khandolite stone container with two nested relic caskets. The innermost gold casket held a small bone fragment believed to be from Buddha, marking the first such discovery in eastern India.

Chaityagriha stands out as the most intriguing group of monuments within the complex. Constructed of bricks, it is the first Buddhist structure of its kind found in Odisha, featuring a circular stupa at its core. Surrounding the chaityagriha are smaller brick shrines, medium stupas, and votive stupas. Artifacts and architectural elements recovered from this area indicate that most structures were likely built in the 6th and 7th centuries AD.

Remnants of four monasteries were also discovered. The first and the largest monastery, facing east, date back to the 10th and 11th centuries AD and lack any remaining sculptures. The second monastery, located in the northern part of the hill, was likely constructed during a period when Buddhism was declining in Lalitagiri. The third monastery, facing south-east, is considered the earliest and follows a traditional Buddhist layout with a central courtyard surrounded by around 10 cells, each with a niche in the wall. Monastery 4 is the only monument at Lalitagiri that still retains some sculptural elements, including a large seated Buddha statue in the west-facing shrine, albeit missing its head.

The museum located inside the monastery complex houses artifacts recovered during the excavations here. On display are spellbinding statues of Buddha, Boddhisattva, and statues of Tara, Jambhala amongst others. Interestingly, most of these sculptures contain short inscriptions on them. The Standing Buddha figures, with knee length draperies over the shoulders remind one of the influences of the Gandhara and Mathura school of art. The relic caskets recovered from the stone stupa on the hill are also on display.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Rs. 15 for Indians & Rs. 200 for Foreigners