Buddhist Remains, Ratnagiri

The Buddhist remains at Ratnagiri occupy a hill between the Brahmani and Birupa rivers in Jajpur District, Odisha, forming part of the Buddhist 'Diamond Triangle' along with Lalitgiri and Udayagiri (Jajpur). The monastic complex was active from roughly the 5th century CE, reaching its peak between the 7th and 10th centuries under the patronage of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty, and continued in use through the 13th century.

ASI excavations led by Dr. Debala Mitra between 1958 and 1961, followed by further excavations from 1997 to 2004, uncovered a large brick Mahastupa with a base roughly 47 feet square, three monasteries, eight temples and over 700 votive stupas. Monastery 1 is noted for a finely carved stone entrance gateway and a curvilinear roof considered unique among Indian monasteries. The excavations also yielded 1,386 clay seals bearing the monastery's name, and some scholars compare Ratnagiri's scholarly and monastic significance to that of Nalanda. Ongoing excavations in recent years have continued to uncover monastery remains, sculptures and inscribed stones.