Udayagiri monastery, (near) Dhanmandal, Orissa, IN

Raw data

Two phases of excavation (1985-89, 1997-2000) uncovered a major Buddhist establishment including two monasteries. Udayagiri is located about 10 km. from Ratnagiri lat. 20/39 N long. 86/16 E. One monastery measures about 35 M sq. and had 21 cells. Another monastery on the site had 13 cells. The site plan and detailed photographs may be of use later for connecting this monastery to others by architectural style. Bimal Banyopadhya, Buddhist Centres of Orissa (New Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 2004) pp. 73 76-79.
Src: India
Input by: SG Feb 20 2009

"Udayagiri - The largest Buddhist Complex in Orissa, Udayagiri in the district of Jajpur has assumed further importance after recent excavations which revealed the ancient name of the monastery as Madhavapura Mahavihara. The excavations also brought to light a sprawling complex of brick monastery with a number of Buddhist sculptures. The entire area is found located at the foothills of a large hill that acts as an imposing backdrop.
The archaeological remains at Udayagiri consist of a brick stupa, two brick monasteries (one excavated and the other still unexcavated), a beautiful stepped stone well with inscriptions on it, and rock-cut sculptures at the top of the hill behind. Chronologically, the Udayagiri Buddhist Complex is later than Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri, and the monasteries probably flourished between the 7th and the 12th centuries A.D.
The large number of exposed sculptures from the excavations, as well as those still in situ, belong, obviously to the Buddhist pantheon and consist of Boddhisattva figures and Dhyani Buddha figures. Interestingly, although the site is located close to Ratnagiri (about 5 km), Udayagiri does not possess a number of Vajrayana sculptures. Much is still to be known about this site."
http://orissadiary.com/orissa_tourism/heritage/Udayagiri.asp
Input: tmciolek, 11 Apr 2009.

"Udaigiri is […] an important Buddhist piligrimage destination in Orissa. Excavation have unearthed remains of Buddhist brick monastery that perhaps flourished between the period of 7th and 12th century AD. Recently, it has also come to light that the ancient name of the monastery was Madhavpura Mahavira.
There is yet another brick monastery in the complex which still remains unexcavated. Apart from the two monastery, the remains also consist of a brick stupa, a beautiful stepped stone well with inscriptions on it and rock-cut sculptures at the top of the hill behind. Figures of Dhyani Buddha have been discoverd from the ruins as well. The entire complex lies at the base of a hill."
http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/destinations/orissa.html
Input: tmciolek, 16 Apr 2009.

"Khandagiri - Just 7 kms west of Bhubaneswar are the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri, the next major Orissan historical monument after Ashoka's rock-cut edict. The rocks of the Khandagiri and Udaygiri hills were carved and tunneled, to create this multi-storied ancient apartment residence for Jain monks. They were the work of the first known Orissan ruler, King Kharavela, and probably begun in the first century BC.
Kharavela was a king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty, who is known for expansion of the Kalinga empire and his installation of public improvements, such as canal systems. His queen was evidently quite a patron of the arts, and probably had much to do with the impressive sculptural decoration of the caves.
As you approach the site, Khandagiri, with its 15 caves will be on the left. Udaygiri will be on the right. The 18 caves of Udaygiri include the famous Hathi Gumpha ('Elephant Cave') with its famous inscription of Kharavela.
From the inscription, we learn much about Kharavela's military exploits, and also that his royal city had gate towers, bathing and drinking tanks, and was the scene of formally organized music and dance performances, as well as sporting and social events. The city, says the inscription, " was made to dance with joy". Kharavela was evidently a skilled musician, and it seems as if he created a remarkable center of the arts.
The famous Rani Gumpha ('Queen's Cave'), also on Udaygiri, has upper and lower stories, a spacious courtyard, and elaborate sculptural friezes. The carvings show popular legends, historical scenes, and religious functions, as well as many dancers. The style seems quite well-developed, and of a singular grace and liveliness.
The Ganesha Gumpha, which is reached by a walkway from the lower storey of the Rani Gumpha, is isolated, and perhaps for this reason, better preserved. Its two dwelling-spaces with verandah in front are reached by a short staircase from the courtyard.
All of the caves are small, and follow the natural configurations of the 'living rock'. The sculpture throughout exhibits a strong, lively folk element, which has been executed with a sure and confident hand. Already, the spaces are filled with animal, human, and divine personages and decorative details, showing at an early stage the love of the Orissan artist for richly elaborated scenes."
http://orissadiary.com/orissa_tourism/heritage/Khandagiri.asp

Cuttack, India Page
World:India:State of Orissa
Lat 20.5000 Long 85.8333
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Cuttack.html

"Just 7 km from Bhubaneswar are the twin hills of Udayagiri (135-ft high) and Khandagiri (118-ft high) that are known for their ornately carved caves, dating back to first century BC. You can get a panoramic view of the entire city from these hills."
http://www.orissatourismindia.com/east-india-temples.html

Bhubaneshwar, India Page
Other names: Bhubaneswar
World:India:State of Orissa
Lat 20.2333 Long 85.8333
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Bhubaneshwar.html

Udayagiri is situated some 5-10 kms E of Dhanmandal - tmc, maps.google.com, 22 Jun 2010.
Dhanmandal, India Page
World:India:State of Orissa
Lat 20.7000 Long 86.1167
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Dhanmandal.html
Input: tmciolek, 12 May 2009.

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 28 Jul 2014

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Udayagiri monastery, IN.

General location of the Udayagiri monastery, IN.
lat=20.65 long=86.26666
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2009.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=20.65+86.26666+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Udayagiri%20monastery,%20IN)&ll=20.65,86.26666&spn=05.0,05.0&t=k&hl=en


Final data - explanatory notes

1. Monastery's name

  • Udayagiri monastery

2. Monastery's modern country & province

  • India:State of Orissa

3. Monastery's alternative/historical names


4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

  • Approx., Lat 20.65 Long 86.26666 - Banyopadhya (2004:73,76-79)

5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries


6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village


7. The settlement's alternative/historical names

  • [missing data]

8. The settlement's coordinates


9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition


10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition

  • [missing data]

11. Date-early

  • Udayagiri (135-ft high) and Khandagiri (118-ft high) that are known for their ornately carved caves, dating back to first century BC. You can get a panoramic view of the entire city from these hills."

http://www.orissatourismindia.com/east-india-temples.html

MBM chrono-tag <=0200 - tmciolek 28 Jul 2014
<=0200 0200-32c 0233-66c 0267-99c 0300-32c 0333-66c 0367-99c 0400-32c 0433-66c 0467-99c 0500-32c 0533-66c 0567-99c 0600-32c 0633-66p 0667-99p 0700-32p 0733-66p 0767-99p 0800-32p 0833-66p 0867-99p 0900-32p 0933-66p 0967-99p 1000-32p 1033-66p 1067-99p 1100-32p 1133-66p dated-ex


12. Date-intermediate

MBM chrono-tag 0633-66p 0667-99p 0700-32p 0733-66p 0767-99p 0800-32p 0833-66p 0867-99p 0900-32p 0933-66p 0967-99p 1000-32p 1033-66p 1067-99p 1100-32p 1133-66p - tmciolek 28 Jul 2014


13. Date-late

  • [missing data]

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

  • The layout of this monastic site might have influenced that at the Sri Ksetra-1 or at the Sri Ksetra-2 monasteries, (near) Pyay, Bago Division, MM - Groslier (1971:56)

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • archaeological

16. Additional notes

  • [missing data] (incl. details of the size of the monastic population)

17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by

  • [missing data]

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