Apsidal Chaityagriha, Lalitgiri

Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I.  One such interesting discovery of Buddhist architecture is Apsidal Chaityagriha. 

The brick chaitya griha is apsidal on plan having a structural stupa at the rear end. It has as usual component such as apse, axial and nave. The stupa at the rear end provided with a area around it to go around. The chaitya graham also provided with a stone pavement around it of letter construction as evidence from the excavation. 

This unique structure was believed to be the biggest prayer hall is built sometime between 8th and 12th century A.D.

Mahastupa, Lalitgiri

Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I.  One such luminous piece of Buddhist architecture is Mahastupa. 

This giant circular stupa of Mahavira built between 1st to 12th century A.D is at the top of the Pushpagiri hill. Inside the brick stupa two relic caskets kept in a container made of Khandolite stone were found. The discovery of relic caskets was the first of its kind in the eastern India.

A climb of approximately 50 steps takes one close to this stupa.

Monastery No. 3, Lalitgiri

Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I.  There are various monasteries here and Monastery No. 3. facing south-east, measures 28 x 27 m is the earliest in the complex. 

On the basis of architectural ground and excavated material this monastery came into existence between 8th and 12th century A.D during the period of Bhaumakara and Somavamsi dynasties. 

The monastery square in plan has two entrances, one in the eastern side and the other in the south-eastern side. It has open courtyard with chambers in all side. The courtyard in the center measures 8 sq.m. The monastery is provided with sanctum at the center of the western side wall. 

The construction material used is bricks lime mortar.  

Monastery No. 4, Lalitgiri

Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I.  There are various monasteries here and Monastery No. 4. measures 30 sq.m. and is facing toward west and oriented north-south.

On the basis of architectural ground and excavated material this monastery came into existence between 8th and 12th century A.D during the period of Bhaumakara and Somavamsi dynasties. It is a large monastic complex square in plan with ten cells, of which five are on each wing and a central courtyard a shrine chamber at the rear wall. 

The monastery has an open courtyard with chambers in all side fronted by a veranda and a sanctum in the rear wall. It is plain, except the pedestal of Buddha, which is represented with triratha symbol, lotus medallion, lion and scroll work. 

For courtyard and doorjambs the material used is Khandolite stone where as bricks are used for other structures. 

Monastery No. 1, Lalitgiri

Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I.  There are various monasteries here and we shall rediscover Monastery No. 1. is the largest one and measures 36 sq.mtr externally. 

On the basis of architectural ground and excavated material this monastery came into existence between 10th and 11th century A.D during the period of Bhaumakara and Somavamsi dynasties. 

The monastery rectangular on plan is facing to south east and oriented north-west to south-east. The monastery has an open courtyard with chambers in all side fronted by a veranda and a sanctum. The courtyard in the center measures 12.9 sq.mtr

For courtyard and doorjambs the material used is Khandolite stone are used and bricks are used for other structures. 

Lalitgiri

During our tour of Orissa we did visit Buddhist triangular circuit and we could learn lot about the history of the place. One such place is Lalitgiri which is a majestic place couched between hills of Parabhadi and Landa of the isolated Assian range. The landscape here is dominated by ruins of the huge brick monastery, the remains of the chaitya hall. 

A.S.I has carried out extensive excavations from 1985 and this has unearthed remains of a huge stupa, and relic caskets along with other important structure and archaeological remains. The important discovery out of excavation are structures of the time between 1st to 12th century A.D:

• Mahastupa
• Monastery No.1
• Monastery No.2
• Monastery No.3
• Monastery No.4
• Aapsidal Chaityagriha

This place is just 90 km away from the state capital, Bhubaneshwar. The site seeing here can be covered in one day along with other two sites of the Diamond Triangle: Udaygiri and Ratangiri.