*..Buddhist Hertage..*

       The Buddhist Heritage in Orissa is remarkable for its rich architectural remains and sculpture wealth. The great Kalinga war, which transformed Ashoka into a devout Buddhist and a great champion of Buddhism, had been fought on the Orissan soil on the banks of the river Daya, not far from the temple city of Bhubaneswar. From the temple city of Bhubanesar. from here the light of Buddhism radiated to different Far-Eastem countries like China and Japan. It is here the foundation of a great religion and culture was laid. Orissa held the torch of peace and nonviloence (Dhamma) to the whole world. This great transformation which literally changed the whole world could be flt and experienced when one walds through the vistas of Buddhism in Orissa.

       As a testimony to this great transrormation we hage the famous major rock-edicts of Ashoka at Dhauli near Bhubaneswar and juagada in Ganjam district. Through the years, from the 3rd century B.C. Orissa had nurtured a number of Buddhist centres of learning, art and establishments in several places which flourished up to the 12th-13th century A.D. In fact, these places of Buddhist interest had been a great source of attraction to out side visitors from as early as the 7th century. The famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang had visited the Buddhist centres in Orissa in Orissa in 7th century A.D.

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