Udayagiri
Udayagiri or the “Sun rise Hill” (200 39’ N; Long. 800 16’ E) is located in Jajpur district; 90 km away from Bhubaneswar via- Chandikhole through NH-5A and 9km from Ratnagiri is located on the right bank of the river Birupa. The scientific excavations at the site were undertaken by the Excavation Branch IV, Archaeological Survey of India in two phases, from 1985 to 1989 at Udayagiri-1 and again from 1997 to 2003 at Udayagiri-2.
The excavations at Udayagiri-1 (Madhavapura Mahavihara) have brought to light the remains of a huge monastic complex comprising a Mahastupa and an east facing square monastery.
The excavations at Udayagiri-2 (Simhaprastha Mahavihara) have also brought to light the remains of a brick built double storied monastic complex with pradakshinapatha around the sanctum, vaulted windows, existence of an upper shrine chamber on the first floor, Abutted to its back wall is a brick-built water reservoir used mainly in dry season
A massive shrine complex exhibiting niches on its walls is enshrining Buddhist divinities around a presiding, large inscribed image of Avalokitesvara. Within an enclosure wall an apsidal chaityagriha, with images of lions and a host of masonry and brick stupas and a 72 meter long and 1.42 meter wide stone paved pathway, masonry shrines and a residential-cum-kitchen complex.
Besides, sculptures of Buddha and other Buddhist divinities like Tara, Majusri, Hariti, Chunda, Avalokitesvara, Vasudhara etc have been discovered in large numbers at the site. The site is safely assignable to early centuries of Christian era to 13th century AD.