Watch: Discovery of largest Buddha head in Odisha’s Ratnagiri
On December 1st, 2024, archaeologists unearthed the remnants of history that still lay hidden beneath the surface at Ratnagiri in Odisha’s Jajpur district. They unearthed the relics of a breathtaking piece of Buddhist heritage — an intact, massive Buddha head, lying face down.
The team subsequently found more stone-carved parts, including palms and fingers along with the head, which are believed to belong to a huge sculpture of Buddha in a meditating posture.
Ratnagiri, a Buddhist heritage site, is no stranger to Buddha sculptures made of Khondalite stone. Dozens of such carvings have been unearthed in the area.
The excavation has also uncovered three sculpted heads of varying sizes, a monolithic elephant sculpture, and hundreds of votive stupas, ranging from simple to highly ornamented. Brick and stone masonry structures have also been discovered during the excavation. Smaller votives — stone-carved pieces depicting divinities — have been found arranged in a line, reflecting the Vajrayana practice of making offerings upon the fulfilment of wishes.
The abundance of votives suggests that the site attracted a large number of visitors. Stone tablets of different sizes, inscribed in Sanskrit using the Kutila script (Siddhamatrika), have also been found at the site. The ceramic assemblage is dominated by fine grey ware in various shapes and sizes. The niches in the votive stupas are believed to have once housed male and female divinities associated with Buddhism, further reinforcing the site’s significance as a Vajrayana Buddhist centre.
The excavation is likely to continue until the end of March, after which it will be impossible due to the summer. Then, further analysis will be done to determine whether the centuries-old sculpture could be the largest Buddha head ever found in India.
The resuming of excavations after six decades has shed new light on Buddhism’s influence in the region.
Visuals: Satyasundar Barik and Biswaranjan Rout
Production and Voiceover: Yuvasree S
Published – March 04, 2025 01:48 pm IST