Ratnagiri, Buddhist ruins in Jajpur district, India
Ratnagiri is a ruins site in Jajpur containing three major monasteries, multiple stupas, and numerous sculptures spread across elevated terrain between two rivers. The grounds extend over several hillsides with stone steps and pathways connecting the remains of different structures.
The site developed as a major monastery center between the 5th and 13th centuries and served as an important place for Buddhist learning. Excavations between 1958 and 1983 uncovered what remained from this period of activity.
The monastery complex displays carved stone figures and large Buddha statues throughout its grounds, showing how monks lived and practiced their faith here. The sculptures reveal what religious ideas mattered most to the people who built this place.
The site is accessible daily and features solid ground for walking, with stairs connecting the different sections of the ruins. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water, as shade is limited throughout the grounds.
Some sculptures were crafted from blue-green chlorite, a rare stone that gave the monastery an unusual quality found nowhere else in the region. This choice of material shows the builders valued craftsmanship and had access to special resources.
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