Odisha’s Neglected Buddhist Diamond Triangle Sees New Excavations and Renewed Push for Revival

The trio of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri in Odisha, collectively known as the "Diamond Triangle", once formed a grand Buddhist circuit of Odisha with thriving monasteries, stupas, and a rich scholastic tradition. Dating from the 1st century CE to the 13th century, these sites rivalled the famed universities of Nalanda and Taxila, attracting scholars from across Asia. Yet today, these archaeological marvels tell a sobering tale of neglect and missed opportunities.

The sites boast massive stupas, monastery ruins, exquisite stone carvings of Buddhist deities, and over 700 votive stupas at Ratnagiri alone. Lalitgiri houses a museum established by the Government of India displaying artefacts recovered during excavations, including a sacred relic casket believed to contain Buddha's remains. However, decades of inadequate infrastructure have left visitors struggling with the basics. As recently as 2024, none of the three sites had functioning cafés or proper washroom facilities.

Foreign tourist footfall in Odisha’s Buddhist circuit remains dismal, as per last collected data, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udayagiri together drew under 20 per cent of foreign visitors in 2022, with numbers dropping to just 14 in 2021 and rising only to 23 in 2022, while nearby Langudi has yet to receive a single foreign tourist.

Pavitra Mohanty, a local tour guide, laments the dismal state, "The three sites are beautiful, but any visitor who comes to the area has to travel to Olasuni to have tea or Chandikhol to have food." This lack of basic amenities has severely hampered tourism, keeping the Diamond Triangle largely invisible to both domestic and international visitors. From a business standpoint, this represents a major gap in Odisha’s heritage tourism value chain, limiting revenue potential and discouraging private-sector participation.

Archaeological Breakthroughs Amidst Bureaucratic Hurdles

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) resumed excavations at Ratnagiri in December 2024 after a 60-year gap, yielding remarkable discoveries. Three huge Buddha heads, numerous votive stupas, an ancient wall, inscription plaques, clay pottery and ceramic artefacts, and other relics, some estimated to be 1,500 years old have been unearthed. The largest Buddha head measures 1.5 metres in height, potentially the biggest ever found in India.

Dr Sunil Patnaik, professor of archaeology and Secretary of the Odisha Institute of Maritime and Southeast Asian Studies, emphasises the sites' significance, “These sites are not mere ruins, they represent a continuous monastic legacy spanning centuries. What worries me is that without urgent conservation and proper management, we risk losing not only art and architecture, but a unique chapter of India's Buddhist heritage."

However, progress faces significant obstacles. The excavation has encountered challenges from local encroachments, with many villagers having constructed structures on parts of the Buddhist site, which hampers conservation and excavation efforts. Despite repeated appeals, local administration has failed to evict illegal settlers, threatening the integrity of these heritage areas. This administrative gridlock also deters long-term heritage investment and creates uncertainty for potential tourism-related enterprises.

Government Initiatives Offer Hope

After years of stagnation, 2025 has brought renewed momentum. On 22 August 2025, authorities signed memoranda of understanding with IIT Madras, the National Institute of Water Sports, and the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International to promote heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and revived Buddhist pilgrimage circuits. Under these agreements, IIT Madras will conduct structural audits and geotechnical studies, whilst partner organisations will help establish visitor amenities and cultural programmes.

Anita Sahoo, a travel researcher based in Bhubaneswar who also arranges tour packages for tourists all around the world, notes the potential, "From an academic perspective, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri offer enormous opportunities. But unless basic amenities and easy access are provided, they remain invisible to the larger public and to the global Buddhist community." This administrative gridlock also deters long-term heritage investment and creates uncertainty for potential tourism-related enterprises.

In January 2025, over 1,500 monks, including international delegates, meditated at these sites during the first Guru Padmasambhava Ceremony, signalling growing international interest. The state government has allocated approximately Rs. 9 crore to renovate guesthouses and improve infrastructure at the sites. Additionally, a formal proposal has been sent to the Union government to revive the ancient Pushpagiri University at the Diamond Triangle, reimagining these monuments as active centres of education and spirituality rather than passive ruins.

Whether these initiatives will succeed depends on sustained political will and follow-through. For now, the Diamond Triangle remains a hidden treasure, but one that may yet shine again as a living monument to Buddhism's enduring legacy in India. If implemented effectively, such initiatives could position Odisha as a major Buddhist tourism hub in South Asia, attracting scholars, pilgrims, and investors alike.