History, Importance, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Lalitgiri, Cuttack, Odisha
Lalitgiri is a major and oldest Buddhist Complex located in Birupa-Chitrotpala valley in the district of Cuttack, around 85 km from Bhubaneshwar in the Indian State of Odisha. The other name of the Lalitgiri is Nalitgiri. Ratnagiri, Udaigiri and Lalitgiri sites are jointly popular as the “Diamond Triangle” of Odisha. This complex has major stupas of Buddhism, the images of ancient Buddhism saints, prayer hall and said to be one of the ancient place of their religion. It is also believed that the location of Lalitgiri is associated with lost university of Pushpagiri. It was the major learning complex same like Nalanda, Vikramshila and Takshshila. These three ancient shrine of Odisha, Ratnagiri popular as the hill of precious gems, Lalitagiri popular as red hill and the Udayagiri famous as hill of the rising sun.
The first identification of this place or some of the antiquities was conducted in 1905 and the detailed excavations was done in between 1985 and 1991. This was the investigations where it was proved that this is the ancient Buddhist site. Today the permanent museum has established which houses the sculptures of the Buddha. The huge stone statues, with inscriptions on some of them, are of Buddha, Boddhisattva, Tara, Jambhala and many others. The statue of the Buddha is in the standing posture and attires with the drape adorned from shoulder level to the knee. The key attraction at Lalitgiri is a U shaped chaityagriha the prayer hall which is not common in this religion. It is also believed that Tantrik form of Buddhism was founded here in Odisha and then spread Ratnagiri, Udaigiri and Lalitgiri site and then towards the world. As per the historians, Lalitgiri – oldest Buddhist sites of Odisha holds key importance from the post Mauryan period to 13th century AD without any break.
Modern Odisha is proud of carefully nurturing centuries of old Buddhist Heritage spanning over 18 Centuries spread through the length and the breath of the state. Thus, tourist, historian, spiritually inclined people started visiting the Golden Triangle of Odisha.
Entry fee for Lalitgiri is Rs. 15 for Indians and Rs. 200 for Foreigners
How to reach Lalitgiri, Odisha
The roads are very well connected to Lalitgiri. The national highway no. 5 leads to the Lalitgiri complex. The nearest cities are Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack. You can reach Bhubaneshwar and travel via cab to reach here. The nearest railway Station is Cuttack Railway Station at a distance of 63 kms. The nearest availability of flight is in Bhubaneshwar at a distance of 93 kms.
