Udayagiri Buddhist Complex of Diamond Triangle Odisha

Visiting Jajpur Odisha and not visiting Udayagiri Monastery Odisha would be a sin! The remains of Buddhist monasteries here is an archaeological gem. Udayagiri is part of Diamond Triangle of Odisha, of the Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri complex, an ancient Buddhist historic site.

Having visited the UNESCO site in Sanchi Madhya Pradesh and Sarnath Stupa near Varanasi, I was more than curious to visit the Udayagiri Monastery in Jajpur Odisha.

I have collated this travel guide to visiting Udayagiri in Jajpur Odisha with information on:

– About Udayagiri Odisha
– Best things to do and see in Udayagiri
– What to see in Udayagiri Monastery
– The unique aspects of Udayagiri Monasteries in Odisha
– How to plan your day trip from Bhubaneswar to Udayagiri

Udayagiri Monastery in Jajpur Odisha

About Udayagiri Odisha

Udayagiri, the word translates to Sunrise Hill. The Buddhist monks sure did know the best places to congregate, and share knowledge. The Buddhist site is on the slope of a crescent shaped low hill, located on the bank of Birupa River.

It is spread over an area of 325.49 acres.

Geography – Google Map – Lat. 20.6416°N; Long. 86.2692°E

(There is another Udayagiri near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, yet another near Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh)

Brief History of Udayagiri Odisha

It helps to understand the place better when you are aware of the history of the place. So here is a bit about Udayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Odisha.

Odisha, an eastern state of India, has the stamp of rich Buddhist heritage. Buddhism flourished here from 6^th to 15^th century. The irony is that Lord Buddha had never visited Odisha during his lifetime!

Udayagiri is the largest Buddhist Complex in Odisha. It was discovered by Babu Chandrasekhara Banurji in 1870. The site came under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1937.

Historians have traced its active period to be around 7^th and 12^th centuries. Records state that Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri of Diamond Triangle in Odisha preceded this Udayagiri monastery (Lalitgiri being the oldest).

Udayagiri Buddhist complex is famous because it is the largest of the three sites of Diamond Triangle in Odisha. Udayagiri monastery complex was excavated twice – in 1985 to 1989 at Udayagiri 1 and 1997 to 2003 at Udayagiri 2. With mounds visible all around I am sure with more excavations more remains of Odisha’s Buddhist era can be unearthed.

Tour of Udayagiri Buddhist Complex

Our bus dropped us off at the gate of the huge Udayagiri monastery complex. It is a half-a-kilometre walk from the main gate to an open space where two paths fork out. The vast complex is segregated to two parts, Udayagiri 1 and Udayagiri 2. The left one leads to Udayagiri 2 (bigger of the two)and the right path leads to Udayagiri 1.

The open space has a display of few sculpted images retrieved during the excavations here. There is no museum close by and this serves as a mini museum.

What to See in Udayagiri Buddhist Complex Odisha

Noteworthy among the many archaeological remains in Udayagiri are: brick monasteries, brick stupa, stepped well, and rock sculptures. These are not located close to one another; you have to walk around a lot between these scattered sights. The path between these sights goes through mini jungles/thick growth of flowering and non-flowering trees infested with colourful birds.

Udayagiri 2 Buddhist Monasteries Odisha

I took the path to Udayagiri 2 (Simhaprastha Mahavihara) complex first.

Step well – The sight of stepped well attracted me. Well, this stepwell of Udayagiri Jajpur is no match to the ones we see in Rajasthan; nevertheless it has its own charm. There is a small Jagannath shrine just next to this stepwell.

(Please note – you have to remove your footwear to descend the steps of the stepwell. The only place, in the whole Udayagiri Buddhist Monastery complex, where you have to remove footwear.)

Little ahead of the step well, an upward sloping path takes you to the brick monasteries. There is another temple and Shiva ling along the way.

Stepwell in Udayagiri 2 Odisha

Drains – Do notice the drainage system made with stones.

Stupas and Viharas – Once I crossed the temple, I felt kind of lost seeing the scattered shrines, number of stupas, two monastic buildings, and votive sculptures. If you are timing your visit this place will take at least an hour and yet leave you unsatiated.

There are remains of a brick built double storied monastic complex, where tourists stand and take pictures. Note the 1.4m wide pradakshina patha (circumambulation path) around the sanctum, vaulted windows, an upper shrine chamber on the first floor, pancharatha projections on the southern back wall, brick-built water reservoir, residential cum kitchen complex. Take a guide along to understand the structures well.

To me all looked the same, till our guide Mr. Samantha explained the significance of the different remains unearthed.

Sculptures – The sculptures that you can see are of: Tara, Manjusri, Bhrikuti, Hariti, Chunda, Avalokiteshwara, Maitreya, Aparajita, Vairochana, Vasundhara and more. The objects found include terracotta vessels, iron vessels and stone antiques.

Udayagiri 2 Monastery Odisha

Udayagiri 1 Buddhist Monastery Odisha

Take the path that fork to the right at the track that comes from the entrance to Udayagiri 1, also known by the name Madhavapura Mahavihara. This is smaller compared to Udayagiri 2 and can be explored in an hour. It has one stupa and a monastery, located further off the stupa on a elevated ground.

Stupa – The narrow winding path leads to a square based east facing monastery that dates back to 8^th century. On a raised platform there is a stupa of 7 m height with four images of dhyani Buddha (of the five Buddhas venerated in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism) positioned at its four cardinal points. They are covered with grills.

Monastery 1 – The central courtyard of the monastery 1 is flanked by cells. Don’t miss the intricately carved doorway of the main shrine of Monastery. Directly opposite the entrance is the shrine housing a giant statue of Buddha.

Stupa of Udayagiri 1 Odisha

(Observation – One thing I found similar was the intricacy in details in this doorframe, the blue green doorway in Ratnagiri Buddhist complex and the doorway of Biraja Temple. Could they have been the same set of sculptors, or the students of the same teacher!)

Bird watching in Udayagiri Buddhist Complex Odisha

Besides identifying the stupas, viharas and statues, another interesting thing to do in Udayagiri monastery complex is bird watching. Nature lovers and bird watchers can have a wild time here spotting birds and forest trees. Keep aside some time specifically for this. The complex opens at 8 AM, so try and enter as soon as it opens. There won’t be crowds that may scare away the birds.

What else to see near Udayagiri Odisha?

From Udayagiri you can visit the Ratnagiri Buddhist Monastery complex and the Archaeological Museum in Ratnagiri, both located around 12 km away. Also check out – Interesting Things to Do in Jajpur Odisha.

Travel Tips for Udayagiri Buddhist Monastery Visit

• Apply sunscreen; even the winter sun is harsh especially when overhead
• Carry hat, Take drinking water and light snacks
• Wear good walking shoes (During COVID most of the footwear were unused. I have heard many friends complain that their shoes gave away on their first trip).
• Washrooms and Parking are available
• Cameras are allowed, but drones are not allowed unless you take special approval from the Government.
• Uneven land surface, hence not fit for people with weak knees or for tourists who are wheelchair bound

Udayagiri Odisha Opening Hours

The Udayagiri Monastery of Odisha is open from 8 AM to 6 PM.

Future Plans for Udayagiri Complex Odisha

Government has made elaborate plans to promote tourism in Udayagiri Monastery complex. There are plans to get battery operated vehicles that will make commuting to the two parts of the complex easier. There are plans to set up cafes, accommodation facilities and a ropeway to the mountain too. That would be a welcome development provided they don’t disturb the archaeological finds in their actual places.

FAQs for Visiting Udayagiri Monasteries Odisha

How to reach Udayagiri Buddhist Complex Odisha?

By rail: The nearest railway station from Udayagiri is Ratnagiri at a distance of 10 km.
By air: Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is the closest.
By road: Distance from Bhubaneswar to Udayagiri Odisha distance is 84 km. Udayagiri is 60 km from Cuttack, and 32 km from Jajpur.

What is the best time to visit Udayagiri Buddhist Monasteries?

Winter is definitely the best season to visit Udayagiri monastery ruins and also the other two Buddhist sites of Diamond Triangle of Odisha. Plan to visit during the months October to March. Temperature is moderate. However it is advisable to take a hat along.

Did you like this travel blog on Udayagiri Monasteries in Odisha?

If you have liked this short essay on Udayagiri Buddhist Monastery complex in Jajpur Odisha please consider saving and sharing it to plan a trip to Udayagiri Odisha later.

Been there? Done that? Share your experience and tips! Haven’t visited yet? Have questions about planning a trip to Udayagiri Jajpur Odisha? Please share in the comment box.

Pin this for later

Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.