If you are fond of history and love to travel off the beaten track, then Odisha&rsquos Diamond Triangle &ndash Lalitagiri, Udaygiri and Ratnagiri &ndash should be on your must-see list. These centres of Buddhist learning are only 100km from Bhubaneswar, venue of the 2018 Men&rsquos World Cup Hockey and Odisha's capital.
Odisha (or Kalinga as it was then known as) is where war-mongering Emperor Ashoka of Magadh had a change of heart. Renouncing war and violence, he not only converted to Buddhism but ensured this religion spread far and wide. Dhauli, near the state capital Bhubaneswar, marks the spot where the emperor went through the transformation after seeing the river Daya turn red with the blood of slain soldiers.
But to discover how deeply Buddhism had taken a root in the state, you have to travel to the Buddhist sites scattered across Odisha. About 100km from Bhubaneswar lie what is popularly known as the Diamond Triangle. Consisting of three major ruins, Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri, span centuries, displaying the evolution of Buddhism in Odisha. Unfortunately, the trio has remained off the popular tourist trail yet the combination of mahaviharas, stupas and sculptural treasures, found here shows they are no less attractive than Sanchi or Sarnath.
The oldest among the three is Lalitagiri, which dates back to the first century BCE. A Mahastupa perched on a hillock overlooks the surrounding stupa complex, brick monasteries and a chaitya hall. It is said that caskets containing Buddha&rsquos tooth relics where found at the Mahastupa. The museum displays sculptures reflecting the Mahayana style, including large statues of Buddha, Bodhisatta and Jambhala. It is said that many of the statues found here bear a resemblance with those found in Java and other south-east Asian countries.
Udaygiri (not to be confused with the hill of the same name near Bhubaneswar) and Ratnagiri belong to a much later period. Udaygiri consisted of two monasteries - Madhavapura Mahavihara and Simhaprasta Mahavihara - and is located in the middle of horse-shoe shaped hill. Steps lead to the top of the hill. Do not miss a panoramic view of the countryside from here. A statue of Lokesvara holding a lotus stands at the base of the hill. Ruins of monasteries, brick stupas, and a step well are some of the key attractions here.  Richly carved statues of Dhyani Buddha, Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara, Jambhala and Heruka, lie among the ruins.
According to historians, Ratnagiri, founded in sixth century, along with Udaygiri, was a seat of Tantric Buddhism. This centre flourished until 12th century. Excavations have revealed ruins of sprawling monasteries, rows of votive stupas, shrines and richly sculpted doorways and statues. The man monastery complex contains a large statue of Buddha in the Bhumisparsha mudra. On either side stand are statues of Padmapani and Vajrapani. The courtyard serves as an open-air gallery where Buddha heads and other statues are on display. It is the only Buddhist monastery in India with a curvilinear roof and did you know that monks from here went to teach at Nalanda
Getting there The Diamond Triangle stands about 100km north-east of Bhubaneswar. It is possible to see the trio on a day visit but you have to start early in the morning. A round trip from Bhubaneswar will take five to six hours, excluding the time spent at the three Budhhist centres. We suggest you go to Lalitagiri first, the furthest among the three, and then Udaygiri and Ratnagiri, which lie on the same route. Accommodation is scarce. The trio can also be visited from Cuttack, where OTDC operates a tourist lodge. At Ratnagiri, there is a private resort operated by the Toshali group (toshaliresort.com).
The best time to visit the Diamond Triangle is winter. However, the sun can be strong by day. So carry sun-protective gear. Also drinking water and packed lunch must. Remember, the area is off the regular tourist circuit and can be lonely at times. A visit to the Diamond Triangle may also be combined with a visit to the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
For more information visit Odisha Tourism and FIH
