Bhubaneswar: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has finally taken over the Buddhist heritage sites of Langudi hills in Jajpur district, about 90 km from the State capital. With this the number of the ASI-maintained sites in the State has gone up to 79.

Not very far from the well-known Buddhist triangle of Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udaygiri, Langudi is known as the Puspagiri Mahavihara as described by the 7th Century Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang. Its major attractions are the 34 rock-cut stupas, Buddha sculpture in samadhi mudra and the rock-carved sculpture of Goddess Tara.

``When Union Tourism Minister Jag Mohan visited Langudi in 2004, we had requested him for a transfer of the site to the ASI for its better excavation, conservation and maintenance as the State archaeology had resource crunch,'' culture secretary Gopinath Mohanty said. The deal was finalised following a meeting between senior officers of the State led by Mr. Mohanty and the ASI at Langudi on Thursday. The Institute of Maritime and Southeast Asian Studies in Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Orissa State Archaeology had taken up its excavation so far.

Role for locals

Of the 171 acres of this archaeological site the State handed over 143 acres to the ASI while 17 acres have been earmarked for taking up a cultural tourism project by the State, Mr.Mohanty said.

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