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The excavation at Ratnagiri has revealed the remains of an imposing stupa, two quadrangular monasteries, a single winged monastery, eight temples, a large number of small stupas, sculptures, and architectural pieces indicative of an establishment that can be compared with the major Buddhist sites in the world. |
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| § Art & Architecture |
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For lovers of art and architecture, lay tourists as well as special groups, Ratnagiri offers in its magnificent ruins, a large brick monastery with beautiful doorways, cella, sanctum with a colossal Buddha figure, and a large number of Buddhist sculptures. |
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| Weekend Getaways Around Ratnagiri |
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| § Udayagiri |
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Udayagiri hill is situated about 5 kms from Ratnagiri on the Virupa River. The hill contains two spurs forming a sloping terrace, which is covered with extensive archeological remains. At the foot of the hill there is a colossal image of Lokesvara holding a large lotus. |
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| § Lalitagiri |
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Lalitagiri is situated at a distance of 10 kms beyond the Virupa River. Although earlier excavations had brought to light the importance of this complex, recent excavations have yielded some evidence of a more ancient Buddhist complex. |
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| § Bhubaneshwar |
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The capital of Orissa, Bhubaneswar, 90 kms from Ratnagiri, derives its name from the Sanskrit word Tribhuvaneswara, which stands for Lord Shiva. Bhubaneshwar is comfortable round the year, but the best season to visit the city is during the months of October to April. |
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| § Cuttack |
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Cuttack today is a bustling commercial center. Situated on the delta formed by the Mahanadi and Kathjuri rivers, Cuttack assumed significance due to its strategic location. The city is well connected to other parts of Orissa and the country by the means of rail and road network. |
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The most important edifice of the Ratnagiri complex so far discovered are the ruins of an apsidal temple located in a strategic place surrounded by monasteries and stupas. These temples were constructed near Mathura and Taxila as well as on the Udayagiri hill near Bhubaneswar around the second century BC.
Curling lips, dangling ears, elongated faces and sloping foreheads are some of the outstanding iconographical features of these Buddhist images. 