NEW DELHI / BHUBANESWAR:
In a landmark moment for Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage, the historic Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri and Udayagiri—collectively known as the Diamond (Golden) Triangle of Buddhism—have officially been included in the UNESCO World Heritage framework, following the issuance of a formal notification by the Government of India.
The breakthrough comes after sustained and focused efforts by Jajpur Member of Parliament Dr Rabindra Narayan Behera, who relentlessly pursued the matter at both parliamentary and ministerial levels. After a detailed meeting with the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism and the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the long-pending proposal was formally taken up and approved for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage process.
This development marks a decisive turnaround from the position stated in the Lok Sabha on December 2, 2024, when the Union Minister had informed the House that no proposal was under active consideration at that time, despite the sites being under ASI protection. Undeterred, Dr Behera continued his engagement with the Centre and ASI, consistently highlighting the global historical, archaeological and spiritual significance of Odisha’s ancient Buddhist complexes.
With the issuance of the notification, Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri and Udayagiri now formally enter the UNESCO World Heritage nomination pathway, paving the way for international recognition.
The move gains further strength from fresh ASI excavations at Ratnagiri in 2025, conducted more than six decades after the first excavation by renowned archaeologist Debala Mitra. Recent discoveries— including colossal Buddha heads, ancient structural remains, inscriptions and sculptural fragments—have significantly reinforced the sites’ Outstanding Universal Value.
Situated in Jajpur district, the Diamond Triangle flourished between the 5th and 13th centuries CE as a major hub of Vajrayana Buddhism, drawing monks and scholars from across Asia. A modern museum at Udayagiri is also under development to conserve and display the invaluable artefacts unearthed during excavations.
Cultural historians, heritage experts and tourism stakeholders have welcomed the notification, describing it as a historic milestone that will boost Buddhist tourism, heritage conservation and global visibility for Odisha.
Reacting to the development, Dr Rabindra Narayan Behera said that the recognition is a matter of national pride. He emphasised that preserving Odisha’s ancient Buddhist legacy is not merely a regional aspiration but a national and global responsibility.
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