Located : Jajpur District which is 90-km Bhubaneswar, Orissa

Main attraction : 34 Rock cut Buddhist Stupas

Excursions : Deuli and Kaima

For the last fifty years there have been a number of findings made by the Archeological Survey of India which have unearthed a number of ancient Buddhist sites in coastal Orissa.

Langudi is a small hillock that is located on the plains of Mahanadi and is 90-km from Bhubaneswar in the district Jaipur of Orissa. The place is mostly rich with green foliage and vegetation and has several Khondalite clusters all around.

The river kelua is a tributary which is one of the largest rivers of the state of Orissa.

The Dhyani Buddhas are a series of rock cut stupas which have several medieval shrines. These include the meditative Buddhas in different postures. ‘Bodhisattva’ or the avlokiteswaras were deities of the Vajrayana pantheon which had feminine deities like Tara a Sea Goddess and ‘Pranjnaparamita’- the divine mother of the celestial Dhyani Buddhas or the compassionate goddess of transdental wisdom.

The Hill has preserved the ruins of imposing brick central stupa which is a large quadrangular monastery. The Buddhist remains of the Langudi hill indicate that this place was the epicenter of the Vajrayana, Mahayana and the Hinayana Schools of Buddhism.

The northern spur of langudi hill is noted for being quite a unique 34 Rock cut stupas. The ancient structures are exquisite work of art and workmanship. This exquisite dates back to 2nd and the 3rd century.

The southern tip of the galaxy was preserved as a galaxy of Buddhist rock cut structures with exquisite carvings in bold relief and extensive panel.

The northern cut of the Langudi hill is known for its gigantic rock cut stupas. The Chattravali is a honorific umbrella which is in the shape of the crescent and is located on top of a cylindrical dome.

The stupa is the ornamented section of a stupa and is formed like a pedestal. The panel is divided into distinct compartments and has a seated Dhyani Buddha of the posture of Salvation and a seated Tara in the Varadha Mudra.

The Buddha is attributed to the 7th century and the 8th century AD.

Her right hand is poised in the varada pose and while the left hand holds a Lotus flower known as the Utpala.

Several excavations conducted by the Orissa Institute of maritime and Southeast Asian Studies in Asia in Bhubaneswar have collaborated with the Orissa State of Archeology in excavating the hill. The first year of excavation have revealed the stupas and rock cut panels in Brahmi inscriptions- the early Indian script are believed to be created by Brahma who is considered to be the trinity of the Creator-Preserve or Destroyer (Brhama- Vishnu Mahesh).

Miscellaneous Buddhist sites around Langudi :

Deuli :

It is a beautiful hill near langudi and it reflects growth of the pre-monastic movement of Orissa during the early period of kimiria and Brahmani Rivers which is quite close to the National Highway.

Kaima :

Kaima is a hill which is barren and enriched with different forms of spectacular backdrop to the confluence of the rivers in kimiria and Brahmani which is atleast a kilometer to the north of the hill.

Buddhist Rock cut caves :

The ancient mahabaga scriptures refer to Buddha prescribing retreats into certain places during the rainy season.One can find many historical Buddhist caves and monasteries which is situated on every hill and a paddy field lying close to the langudi hill. One will also notice a large number of Hindu temples which can be out together.

There are also a number of Buddhist caves that are at close proximity to the langudi Hill. Once can also get a glimpse of the several Buddhist images and shrines in the villages that surround Langudi.

These townships are in close proximity to the cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in Orissa.