Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Orissa India

Ratnagiri is a district with many popular holiday  destinations, at the same time Ratnagiri city itself is a beach destination. Initially, Ratnagiri was a prominent Mahayana sect Buddhist centre, later in the 8th  9th century it became a focal point of Vajrayana Buddhism. Two large monasteries, Buddhist sculptures, inscribed stone slabs and molded terracotta plaques were unearthed from here.

Ratnagiri. is an attempt to be a comprehenhive repository of tourist information about Ratnagiri to plan a holiday in Ratnagiri city. We have provided information about all the beaches in entire Ratnagiri district too. 

Ratnagiri is a famous Buddhist centre located in the magnificient ambience of Birupa river valley in the Cuttack district of Orissa. Ratnagiri is a beautiful hill and is one among the Diamond Triangle  Lalitgiri and Udayagiri being te other two. It contains valuable collections of Buddhist antiques. Recent excavation held here revealed that, Ratnagiri was a prime centre of Buddhism from the first half of sixth century AD.

Ratnagiri, the site of the 'Jewel Hill', on the bank of River Keluo, has produced the best finds. The extensive remains show excellent sculptural skill combining different coloured stones, from blue-green chlorite to the purple-red garnets encrusted in brownish silver khondalite. The finds include three monasteries (two quadrangular), eight temples and several stupas believed to date from the seventh century. The largest monastery (No 1) is 55 m sq with a surrounding veranda with 60 pillars built around a courtyard entered through a carved gateway. At one end a shrine has a khondalite Buddha image and remnants of about 24 cells for monks which were built of brick but had stone door frames. Look for the intricate carving on the doorway of the back porch wall: a dancer stamping her feet; a royal lady with her arm around a maid; a woman meditating. Bounded by rivers in all the directions, this Buddhist heritage site holds great archaeological significance. The place is located on a small hilltop, which overlooks the vast plains spotted with green hills. Ratnagiri provides the rare opportunity to have a glimpse of ancient Buddhist shrines, sculptures, big stupa, and a large number of votive stupas that are the remnants of a glorious heritage.

The seventh-century University of Pushpagiri may have flourished here; Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveller, after his visit in AD 639 described it as one of Orissa's two Buddhist centres of learning. Four galleries display fine sculptural figures dating from the ninth to the 10th centuries, terracotta and ivory objects, inscribed copper plates and miniature bronzes produced by the lost-wax process.