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Buddhist sites unearthed in Korei

BHUBANESWAR: Surveyors of Orissa Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS) have stumbled upon about 30 Buddhist, Jain and Brahmanical sites dating back to 4th century AD after conducting survey at nearly 50 villages under Korei block of Jajpur district.

The exploration was carried out on the right bank of River Baitarani for a stretch of 25 kilometres within the catchments areas of the river during last week of January. It resulted in the finding of five habitation debris located on the cliff sections of the river.

Archaeological material found from the sites consisted of pottery of different shapes and sizes, wares and a few bone specimens.

Since the river has changed its course, archaeologists are giving utmost importance to the old channel.

“We will impress upon Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct full scale excavation in the Korei area as it has the potential, which was established from the current exploration,” Secretary of Culture Department Gopinath Mohanty said .

The villages covered in the survey included Ragadi, Pacchikot, Barundei, Dulakhapatna , Brahmanidevi, Jajpur Road, Itapai and Naugaon in Jajpur district.

“Most of the villages contain numerous sculptures belonging to Buddhist and Brahmanical pantheon. Villagers are worshiping the sculptures as village deity. The sculptures found at these sites are broken and fragmented,” Nimai Ch. Mohanty, Project Coordinator of Project Cell (Buddhist Heritage).

Some of the important findings included a Buddhist statute, which could be of 10th to 11th century AD, archaeologist of Culture Department Balaram Tripathy said adding the destruction might have occurred during religious transformation and Buddhism to Brahmanical faith during that period.

An underground cave was noticed behind Fire Brigade Office in Jajpur Town. “The underground cave is provided with a small passage from to measuring only 90 cm, easy enough for entry of a single person.

The stair-case or ladder was in use to climb down and reach the first hall which is square in shape and measures 9 square metres area with 1.5 metre height,” Mr. Tripathy said.

Underlining the need for protection of the came, he said surrounding Buddhist antiquities suggested that the underground caves were used by monks during trouble time.

Besides, a Buddha image depicted in Bhumisarsa Mudra (height 1.30 m and width 1 m) and the statue was refashioned with lime and mortar was found from the site, Mr. Tripathy said.

Local legislator Sanchita Mohanty extended all support for scientific clearing of the sites having potential to throw new lights to Buddhism in Orissa.

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