Monday, May 11, 2015

Monastery No. 1, Ratangiri

Monastery No. 1 at Ratangiri is the biggest monastery excavated in Orissa. The construction of monastery is assignable to 8th-9th century A.D.



This south facing monastery is quadrangular in shape and externally measures 55 sq. m. It has 24 cells with a spacious stone paved central courtyard of 21 sq. m. This magnificent structure is mostly made of brick but externally veneered with khandolite.



The stand out feature in the monastery is exquisitely carved chlorite door-frame. In the lintel it has Gaja-Lakshmi, where as the frame has bands of floral, creeper and human shape motifs. The door frame displays superb craftsmanship in its graceful charm. The ornate doorway is unique of its kind and showcases decorative art of India. 



The sanctum enshrined with a massive seated Buddha flanked by the standing figures of Padmapani and Vajrapani holding fans on each side. 



The facade of the sanctum is embellished with creeper pattern and elegant figures of door keepers. 



The various sculptures  carved in the monastery are true masterpieces.

33 comments:

Cloudia said...

True Masterworks!



( '>
/))
//""

ALOHA from Honolulu,
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=

Linda said...

Wonderful series of photos.

Pietro Brosio said...

Magnificent monastery, nice sculptures, interesting images and text.

Ramakrishnan said...

Well preserved ruins !

eileeninmd said...

What a neat visit to the Monastery ruins. The door frame and sculptures are amazing.. Wonderful detail. Great post, Rajesh! Have a happy day and week ahead!

R Niranjan Das said...

Nice captures of the wonderful sculptures.

Joy said...

thanks for showing your world!

Fun60 said...

Love the photo of the door frame.

carol l mckenna said...

Another beautiful place and great shots!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Hello Rajesh
A beautiful monastery.
Your two boys will know the history of India, they are lucky you take them on your photographic excursions.
Is that your beautiful wife too?
I would really love to visit one day.
Shane

Photo Cache said...

It's really incredible to see that the doorway is still standing.

Worth a Thousand Words

Linda said...

Beautiful photos.

Donna said...

I really enjoyed this Rajesh...so many incredibly carved figures and that door is really amazing. Quite a unique stone...and that Buddha looks quite old and special.

Al said...

Great place - that door is exquisite.

Margie said...

Interesting!

Anonymous said...

How lovely - I really like the framing in the second shot.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Everything about this monastery is beautiful. I can't get over how well-preserved everything is for being nearly 2,000 years old.
The View from the Top of the Ladder

Leovi said...

Yes, wonderful art in this monastery, pretty pictures!

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Informative...

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Very interesting and huge structures from long ago~

Sharon Wagner said...

The chlorite door is superb.

Roger Owen Green said...

A grand entrance!

ROG, ABCW

Gattina said...

What a beautiful monastery !

Gattina
ABC Team
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com/

Obsessivemom said...

That door frame stands out beautifully. Such beautiful architecture.

Sridharan said...

Glad to be able to visit such places virtually.. thanks

Anita (Rosy) said...

I wonder how long it took the people of that time to build this place. Nice pictures.

ChrisJ said...

Amazing sculptures. Beautiful buildings

Beloo Mehra said...

Beautiful shots. Such rich heritage we have. If only more Indians begin to appreciate it and protect it.

Jeevan said...

Wow! Excellent capture and perspective over the monastery... the door frame stands out among the other impressive layouts

Ravish Mani said...

Thanks for the detailing of Ratnagiri Monastery 1 with wonderful pics and facts. :)

Maniparna said...

have visited the place...it's amazing!

Harshita said...

nice pictures

Anonymous said...

Ratnagiri is a great place to visit. I believe it takes you one whole day to do justice to viewing all the monasteries and aterfacts over here.