Rare Buddhist seal discovered at Ratnagiri | Bhubaneswar News
Ratnagiri (Jajpur): Archaeologists have unearthed a rare Buddhist terracotta votive sealing with inscription during ongoing excavations at the historic Ratnagiri site in Jajpur district, marking a significant discovery in Buddhist archaeology.
The seal, dating back to the 5th century CE, contains a Dharani Mantra written in Sanskrit using late Brahmi characters. “The text inscribed is ‘Ye Dharma hetu prabhava heti, stesam tathagato hyavadata tesam cha and yo nirodha evamvadi mahasramana,’ which is considered one of the most powerful Buddhist mantras,” said Dibishada Brajasundar Garnayak, superintending archaeologist, ASI Puri circle.
The discovery includes four neck portions of Buddha stone images and a rectangular shrine complex. The current excavation, which resumed in December last year after a six-decade hiatus, has already yielded significant finds, including three giant Buddha heads, numerous votive stupas, fortification walls, and other artifacts.
Known as the “Hill of Jewels”, Ratnagiri was first documented in 1905 by Manmohan Chakravarty, then sub-divisional officer of Jajpur. The site gained prominence following extensive excavations by ASI between 1958 and 1961, led by Debala Mitra, which revealed a massive Buddhist establishment.
A brick-built stupa, three large monastic complexes, eight temple remains, over 700 monolithic votive stupas and numerous Buddha sculptures and artifacts were discovered.
Secretary of Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS) Dr. Sunil Patnaik said Ratnagiri rivals Nalanda in its architectural grandeur and Bodh Gaya in its collection of monolithic stupas.
The site, part of Odisha’s ‘Diamond Triangle’ along with Lalitgiri and Udayagiri, is expected to become a major tourist destination. The ongoing excavation work, involving 15 archaeologists and experts, continues to uncover new insights into the region’s rich Buddhist heritage.
The seal, dating back to the 5th century CE, contains a Dharani Mantra written in Sanskrit using late Brahmi characters. “The text inscribed is ‘Ye Dharma hetu prabhava heti, stesam tathagato hyavadata tesam cha and yo nirodha evamvadi mahasramana,’ which is considered one of the most powerful Buddhist mantras,” said Dibishada Brajasundar Garnayak, superintending archaeologist, ASI Puri circle.
The discovery includes four neck portions of Buddha stone images and a rectangular shrine complex. The current excavation, which resumed in December last year after a six-decade hiatus, has already yielded significant finds, including three giant Buddha heads, numerous votive stupas, fortification walls, and other artifacts.
Known as the “Hill of Jewels”, Ratnagiri was first documented in 1905 by Manmohan Chakravarty, then sub-divisional officer of Jajpur. The site gained prominence following extensive excavations by ASI between 1958 and 1961, led by Debala Mitra, which revealed a massive Buddhist establishment.
A brick-built stupa, three large monastic complexes, eight temple remains, over 700 monolithic votive stupas and numerous Buddha sculptures and artifacts were discovered.
Secretary of Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS) Dr. Sunil Patnaik said Ratnagiri rivals Nalanda in its architectural grandeur and Bodh Gaya in its collection of monolithic stupas.
The site, part of Odisha’s ‘Diamond Triangle’ along with Lalitgiri and Udayagiri, is expected to become a major tourist destination. The ongoing excavation work, involving 15 archaeologists and experts, continues to uncover new insights into the region’s rich Buddhist heritage.
