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Newly Discovered Buddhist Site To Be Passed On To ASI
Kendrapara, July 14: A Buddhist site, believed to belong to the first century BC, is likely to be handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), according to official sources.
Kendrapara, July 14: A Buddhist site, believed to belong to the first century BC, is likely to be handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), according to official sources.
The site, which was discovered at Langudi Hills in Jajpur district a few years ago by the Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies in 1996, possessed unexplored Buddhist treasures.
Its protection and conservation had become essential in view of latest discovery of a rare Ashokan sculpture and rock-cut inscriptions in which the Emperor's name was found, the sources said.
Once the ASI took over the area, further excavation work would get a boost. Union minister for culture, Jagmohan, who visited the site a year ago, had suggested that ASI should take over the findings for its scientific conservation. An administrative decision in this regard is expected to be announced shortly, the sources said.
Earlier, discoveries at the site included huge Buddha Vihara encompassed by brick walls, four idols of Buddha in different meditating postures and a seven feet high shrine besides smaller Viharas.
ASI sources said the Langudi Buddhist site was one of the earliest Buddhist cultural heritage sites dating back to the first century BC. Buddhism took deep roots and continued to flourish here under the royal patronage of the Bhaumakara dynasty till the 11th century AD.
Bureau Report
The site, which was discovered at Langudi Hills in Jajpur district a few years ago by the Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies in 1996, possessed unexplored Buddhist treasures.
Its protection and conservation had become essential in view of latest discovery of a rare Ashokan sculpture and rock-cut inscriptions in which the Emperor's name was found, the sources said.
Once the ASI took over the area, further excavation work would get a boost. Union minister for culture, Jagmohan, who visited the site a year ago, had suggested that ASI should take over the findings for its scientific conservation. An administrative decision in this regard is expected to be announced shortly, the sources said.
Earlier, discoveries at the site included huge Buddha Vihara encompassed by brick walls, four idols of Buddha in different meditating postures and a seven feet high shrine besides smaller Viharas.
ASI sources said the Langudi Buddhist site was one of the earliest Buddhist cultural heritage sites dating back to the first century BC. Buddhism took deep roots and continued to flourish here under the royal patronage of the Bhaumakara dynasty till the 11th century AD.
Bureau Report