Where Monks Dwelt

You drive one hundred kilometers from Bhubaneswar, past Cuttack, enroute to Paradip port.

The landscape changes from flat lands to nice, small,grassy hills. A gentle river meanders within sight of the road.

Open billed Storks congregate in the paddy fields.

You turn left- following the easy-to-read signages - which is a surprise.

You climb a small hillock and go past a rickety gate.

And then your jaw drops into your lap.

This place is a treasure trove for archaeologists.

It is strewn with Stupas, exquisitely carved sculptures and rock carvings.

Parts of the ancient college campus lies half buried in the earth.

Ratnagiri was a place of Buddhist learning from about 6th century to 10th century.

For people interested in little more history...here is a link to another blog.

Check out the reference books mentioned therein.

http://orissanstudies.blogspot.in/2014/12/artistically-carved-manjusri-image-from.html

For people who love having their jaws drop onto their laps... just go there.

Sometimes you get the feeling that history is waiting to be discovered.

For sure, it is the case with Ratnagiri. 

Jewel of a Hillock.