Odisha's Buddhist Legacy: A Journey Through Time
Odisha, a land where history and spirituality converge, is home to one of India’s richest and most enduring Buddhist traditions. Its vibrant culture has woven Buddhism into the very fabric of the region’s identity for over two millennia.
The connection between Odisha and Buddhism runs remarkably deep, possibly predating the rise of the religion itself. Ancient texts like the Vinaya Pitaka and Bouddha Jataka mention Tapassu and Bhallika, wealthy traders from Odisha who encountered Buddha himself and brought back his hair relic to enshrine in their homeland. Later, other sacred relics, including Buddha’s tooth and nail, further cemented the state’s significance in Buddhist history.
An image of Buddha at Udaygiri, surrounded by weathered rocks and old walls.
Among Odisha’s many Buddhist landmarks, the Shanti Stupa at Dhauli Hill stands as perhaps the most profound. Overlooking the River Daya, this serene site marks the transformative moment in 261 BCE when Emperor Ashoka, devastated by the bloodshed he caused during the Kalinga War, renounced violence and embraced Buddhism. This profound spiritual awakening shaped Ashoka’s reign and played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism throughout Asia. The Shanti Stupa, built at Dhauli in collaboration with Japanese Buddhists in the 20th century, now stands as a beacon of peace and non-violence—a monument to Ashoka’s enduring legacy.
The 7th-century accounts of Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang highlight Odisha’s flourishing Buddhist activity. The faith reached its zenith under the Bhaumakara dynasty (8th-10th centuries), when Buddhism became the state religion. This period saw monasteries filled with monks and a vibrant intellectual tradition developing throughout the region.
Buddha in Bhumisparsha mudra seated on a throne — a bronze image from Achutyarajpur.
Recent archaeological excavations in Odisha, particularly at Radhanagar in Jajpur, have unearthed significant Buddhist remains—including pottery and terracotta ring wells—that mirror findings from Manthai Harbour in Sri Lanka. Such parallels hint at vibrant maritime and religious exchanges across the Indian Ocean, highlighting Odisha’s role as a historical nexus of trade, faith, and culture.
Today, Odisha boasts over 200 Buddhist sites, comprising stupas, monasteries, and caves—each a testament to its pivotal place in the evolution of Buddhist thought, art, and education. Notably, Tarapur Hill in Jajpur houses a 6th-century BCE stupa and Brahmi inscriptions linking it to Tapassu and the Kesa Stupa. Nearby, the Deuli and Deulipal hills feature rock-cut caves, monumental stupas, and distinctive pottery, vividly illustrating the region’s enduring Buddhist legacy. These sites not only reveal the spiritual life of ancient Odisha but also reflect its role in shaping broader cultural currents across South and Southeast Asia.
A glimpse of the intricate wall carvings at Ratnagiri, reflecting ancient artistry.
Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri—known collectively as the Diamond Triangle—represent the crown jewels of Odisha’s Buddhist heritage. Located about 90 kilometres from Bhubaneswar and 60 kilometres northeast of Cuttack, these three hill sites boast an impressive array of monastic architecture and artefacts. Lalitagiri is particularly renowned for its relic casket containing Buddha’s remains, while Ratnagiri and Udayagiri feature exquisite sculptures and stupas that showcase Odisha’s artistic brilliance during its Buddhist golden age. Together, these sites continue to attract scholars, pilgrims, and travellers from around the world, offering profound insights into the spiritual and intellectual pursuits of ancient Odisha.
While the Diamond Triangle captures much of the spotlight, Odisha’s Buddhist legacy extends far beyond these sites. Langudi Hills, often overlooked, houses ancient stupas and inscriptions tracing the early spread of Buddhism in the region. Jaugada and Solampur contribute unique dimensions to understanding the region’s Buddhist traditions. The Gandharadi temples, though less explored, reveal fascinating elements of Buddhist architectural influence.
Odisha’s artistic contribution to Buddhism is both profound and visually captivating. Intricate carvings of Bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara, Tara, and various scenes from Buddhist heritage adorn stupas and monastic complexes throughout the state. Votive stupas, relic caskets, and inscriptions unearthed throughout Odisha provide invaluable insights into the spiritual and cultural ethos of the time. These artistic expressions highlight the unique integration of Mahayana and Vajrayana elements into Odisha’s Buddhist traditions, creating a distinctive regional expression of the faith.
A glimpse inside the ruined monastery at Ratnagiri.
The gradual decline of Buddhism in Odisha coincided with the rise of Brahmanical traditions under the Ganga and Gajapati dynasties. However, Buddhism’s influence never vanished entirely. Elements of Buddhist thought and art merged with Hindu practices, creating a unique syncretic tradition. Even today, temples like Lingaraj and Jagannath Puri reflect architectural and ritualistic influences from Buddhism, illustrating the enduring impact of the faith even as its prominence waned.
The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed renewed interest in Odisha’s Buddhist heritage. Archaeological excavations revealed relics, sculptures, and inscriptions, reigniting scholarly and public attention. The discovery of relic caskets at Lalitagiri and votive stupas at Ratnagiri reaffirmed Odisha’s historical significance in Buddhism’s development.
Today, Odisha stands as a major destination for Buddhist tourism. The state government has developed the Buddhist Tourism Circuit, linking key sites like Dhauli, Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri. Guided tours, exhibitions, and cultural festivals like the Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav provide visitors an immersive experience of Odisha’s Buddhist history. Efforts are currently underway to nominate these extraordinary sites for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage list, further highlighting their global significance as treasures of humanity’s spiritual and cultural legacy.
Buddhist monks arriving at Ratnagiri for the International buddhist conference held in 2016
Situating Odisha in a Global Perspective
The story of Tapassu and Bhallika—merchant brothers from ancient Utkala (modern-day Odisha)—marks one of the earliest moments of lay devotion in Buddhism. After offering rice cakes and honey to the Buddha following his enlightenment, they became his first lay disciples. In gratitude, the Buddha gifted them sacred relics to be enshrined in stupas. Their tale transcended borders, finding echoes in Burmese legends that associate Okkalaba with Utkala, and in the writings of Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, who traced their presence to the Balkh region. These narratives underscore the deep cultural and spiritual ties between ancient India and its neighbouring civilisations.
Maps showing the spread of Theravada Buddhism from India to Sri Lanka, and from there, the spread of Mahayana Buddhism to other countries.
Recent archaeological excavations in Odisha, particularly at Radhanagar in Jajpur, have unearthed significant Buddhist remains—including pottery and terracotta ring wells—that mirror findings from Manthai Harbour in Sri Lanka. Such parallels hint at vibrant maritime and religious exchanges across the Indian Ocean, highlighting Odisha’s role as a historical nexus of trade, faith, and culture.
Today, Odisha boasts over 200 Buddhist sites, comprising stupas, monasteries, and caves—each a testament to its pivotal place in the evolution of Buddhist thought, art, and education. Notably, Tarapur Hill in Jajpur houses a 6th-century BCE stupa and Brahmi inscriptions linking it to Tapassu and the Kesa Stupa. Nearby, the Deuli and Deulipal hills feature rock-cut caves, monumental stupas, and distinctive pottery, vividly illustrating the region’s enduring Buddhist legacy. These sites not only reveal the spiritual life of ancient Odisha but also reflect its role in shaping broader cultural currents across South and Southeast Asia.