Lalitgiri

Introduction
This renowned Buddhist pilgrimage,built on a sandstone hill, is the part of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udaygiri diamond triangle of Orissa's Buddhist pilgrimages. The religous activities kept on flourishing here between 3rd century BC. to 15th century AD. Huen Tsang,the famous Chinese travellor in 7th century found it to be the seat of a flourishing Buddhist University, called Puspagiri. In a recent phenomenal excavation in 2001 at Lalitgiri, many mahayana sculptures consisting life size figures including the two inscribed images of king Ashoka (one alone & one with two queens) has also been found. Thirty scriptures, remains of a stone stupa with Brahmi inscription of Kushana characters are some other intresting findings.

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Location & Climate
Lalitgiri is in Mahanga Tehsil, 55 kms from its district headquarter Cuttack and 100 kms from state capital Bhuvneshwar. It's on the hills of Assia Range. It bears the hot & humid climate in summer when mercury rises upto 45*C. It dips down to 10 *C in winter. It rains heavily (144.39 cm.)during monsoons (between mid-september to mid-october).You can enjoy the pleasant climate here during mid-January to mid-March.


Sightseeing : The priceless archeological remains at Lalitgiri are rock-cut caves, excavated monastries, Viharas, Chaityas and sacred relics in terracotta chambers. The Chinese travellor, Huen Tsang of 7th century saw Pushpagiri University and wrote of magnificent stupa on the top of the hill, which emitted a brilliant light due to its sacredness. This region is believed to have perhaps the greatest concentration of post-Gupta period Buddhist sculptures.

» Olasuni, Landa & Parabhadi : Lalitgiri has three stupas - Olasuni, Landa & Parabhadi. Olasuni is famous as the seat of saint Arakshit Das who lived here during 18th century. Excavation of some monasetries on the eastersn part of Landa hill has brought out a huge headless-Buddha image in Bhumisparshamudra (Earth touching posture). The recovered seal from the spot has confirmed the name of Vihar as Sri Chandraditya Vihara. So, 'Samagra Aryavikshu Sangha' hypothesis of considering Lalitgiri as Puspagiri Vihar has now been updated. Two secret chambers on the both sides of main-entrance of the monastery have also been discovered. Parabhadi hill has marvelous figures of Mahayana Buddist iconography.

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» The Relics of Buddha : You can also visit the site of one of the most prized discoveries in recent times. A tiny gold casket, spotted in Lalitagiri recently contained relic tiny bones believed to be those of Buddha.


Accommodation Options
If you come to Lalitgiri, you will not have any problem regarding this. The available options ae enough to cater to the needs of all the tourists. These include Panthashala of Orissa Tourism at Patharajpur and many hotels at Cuttack. Some of them are as follows.

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Accessibility
You can drive down or catch any private or state owned bus from Cuttack, 55 kms from Lalitgiri. Nearest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhuvaneshwar, 30 kms from Cuttack. A major railway junction at Cuttack is well-linked with other important rail-heads.