Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/knYjsocqHU0
Reference: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2020/03/25/langudi-buddhist-archaeological-site-pushpagiri-odisha/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushpagiri_Vihara
https://odishatour.in/langudi-hills-jajpur/
Location:
“Langudi
Buddhist Archaeological Site, P5FR+34G, Chandikhol Road, Salepur, Odisha 755008”
Langudi is a hillock located around 30 KMs from
Jajpur. It is site for the Pushpagiri, an ancient Indian Mahavihara, or
monastic complex, where many ancient Buddhist statues can be seen. The site was
excavated between 1996 and 2001 by the Odisan Institue of Maritime and South
eastern Asian Studies. Pushpagiri was mentioned in the writings of the Chinese traveller Xuanzang (c. 602 –
c. 664) and some other ancient sources. Until the 1990s, it was hypothesised to
be one or all of the Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri group
of monastic sites, also located in Jajpur district. These sites contain ruins
of many buildings, stupas of
various sizes, sculptures (many now removed to museums), and other artifacts.
History:
The excavations on Langudi Hill have proven the
complex was a prominent Buddhist seat of learning that flourished for up to
1,400 years, from the 3rd century B.C to the 11th century A.D. All three sects
of Buddhism are represented here; Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
The existence of Buddhist remains on Langudi hill were
first documented by T.S.Motte in 1766. Working for the East India Company, he
was traveling through the region en-route to Sambalpur and documented military
activities and other anecdotes in this journal. Later in the late 1950s, during
deforestation by villages, The removal of trees from the hill rendered many of
the Buddhist remains completely exposed, although the main Maha Stupa
(Mahastupa) remained concealed under a mound. Villagers were well aware of the
existence of the site, it was revered as “Pancha Pandav” and part of the complex
became known as “Suniavedi”. In 2007, the ASI took over the excavated site.
Attempts to find Pushpagiri focused on the more
well-known Buddhist complexes at Udayagiri, Ratnagiri and
in particular Lalitagiri.
Some scholars became convinced that Lalitagiri was the site of Pushpagiri,
others suggested that perhaps the three sites combined were collectively
regarded as Pushpagiri as they are geographically so close together.
All attempts to identify any of the “Diamond Triangle”
sites as Pushpagiri completely failed, but excavations here at Langudi changed
everything.
Mahastupa
Travelling to the site from the bottom, a well defined path leads up
the hill but soon diminishes, you should head left (north-east) towards a mound
on a flat terrace not far from the summit to the south.
Probably first and the earliest in
Orissa, excavations here confirmed what was widely suspected, the conspicuous
mound was indeed a massive stupa, 20m in diameter and made from uniform bricks.
Finds from the stupa included a parasol of the Mauryan era,
uncarved suchi (cross-bar), pillars, northern black polished ware and
fragmentary inscriptions. The most significant discovery here is an inscription
stating that the stupa was erected by “a lay Buddhist worshipper called
Ashoka”. This strongly suggests that this stupa is one of the 10 stupas that
were erected in Odisha (Odra) by Ashoka, in locations where Buddha visited and
preached. If this is indeed an Ashoka stupa, it is the first and earliest to have
been discovered in Odisha and would date to the 3rd century B.C. The way of
constructions are stupa follow the pattern of starting with a simple small
structure which grow in size as they are remodeled with time, such as the ones
at Sanchi. Other artifacts found included pillars, a fragmentary Brahmi
inscription, terracota seals and Northern Black Polished Ware. Although
Xuanzang suggests that Odra had 10 stupas erected by Ashoka, this is the only
one to have been discovered so far. Deciphering the Brahmi inscription,
archaeologists inferred, the stupa may
have been erected by "a lay Buddhist worshipper called Ashoka" and
not emperor Ashoka. Anyways lot of things still need to be found and may be in
future discovery of further stupas may put more light on the hidden mysteries.
A fragmented Brahmi inscription discovered at the site names the
site as puṣpa sabhar giriya ("flower-filled hill"),
identified by the excavators as Pushpagiri.
Rock-cut
stupas and sculptures
By 2007, 34 rock-cut stupas of various sizes had been
discovered on the northern part of the hill. A number of Buddhist rock-cut
sculptures were discovered on the southern spur of
the hill, including sculptures of Dhyani Buddhas in
various postures. the archaeological finds at the site cover a
period between 1st century CE and 9th century CE, and suggest the existence of
a major Buddhist monastic establishment. The largest stupa in this set is
flanked by Vidyadharas (or wisdom-holders), but further weathered motifs start
to pop out as you inspect the panels in closer detail. The largest stupa in
this set is flanked by Vidyadharas, but further weathered motifs start to pop
out as you inspect the panels in closer detail. The most recent excavations
have found out square and rectangular shaped sections with sculptures within
them. They look very recent but during our visit, we didn’t find any clue or
hint of any excavation going on whatsoever.
We didn’t go to the top of the hill, but the lower
portion of the hill have a lot of sculptures cut out on the rocks which are
really memerizing. Well, with an infant just 3 years old, the scope of covering
and exploring becomes very limited.
Nearest places of importance from Langudi Hills:
1) Temples
in and around Jajpur like Biraja Maa temple, Jagannatha Temple, Yajna varaha
temple, Siddheshwara temple
2) Chhatia
Bata Jagannath Temple, (30 KMs from Cuttack)
3) Udayagiri,
Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri and Langudi Hills
4) Chandi
temple, Chandikhol
5) Ashokjhar
Waterfall, Sukinda
6) Mahavinayaka
Temple, Chandikhole temple (15.5 KMs on NH16)
7) Gokarneshwara
Temple, Jataka, Dharmasala
8) Narayana
Gosain Temple, Singhapur
Timings:
Everyday morning 9 AM to 6 PM
How
to Reach:
By
Road:
Nearest bus stand is Chandikhol around 8 KMs from the archaeological site. Self-drive is the best way to reach the site
if you are staying in Jajpur or Cuttack or Bhubaneshwar. Hired cabs can be
taken from Jajpur (around 31 KMs) or Bhubaneshwar (around 72 KMs) or Cuttack (around
52 KMs). Try to cover the temple while planning for Jajpur or Cuttack areas.
By
Rail:
Nearest railway station is Jajpur Keonjhar Road (around 40 KMs). Cuttack is the
major railway station (around 50 KMs)
By
Air:
Nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar (around 76 KMs)
Parking
and Photography
The entry to the site is a gate in a very small road.
Parking can be done at the gate itself.
There is no restriction to photography. Drones can be
used but used from within the site.
Staying
options
Jajpur and Cuttack are the nearest cities where good
stay options are available. Depending on the travel plan of visiting locations
either Cuttack or Jajpur can be selected as stay options. Both Cuttack and
Jajpur has many places to visit around. We stayed at Jajpur and can recommend
Hotel Mirabel at Byasanagar, which is a very good hotel for stay at a very
descent rate. Check the prices online for the lowest price and then negotiate
at hotel for over the counter booking.