Mon Nov 18 07:14:42 UTC 2024: ## Odisha’s Ratnagiri Monastery to Undergo New Excavations
**Bhubaneswar, November 13, 2024** – The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will resume excavations at the renowned Ratnagiri Buddhist monastery in Odisha’s Jajpur district after a gap of over six decades. The project, a collaboration with Cotton University, Sambalpur University, and Utkal University, aims to unearth further historical treasures from the site.
The ASI’s Superintending Archaeologist, Dibishada Brajasundar Garnayak, stated that the universities will assist in the excavation work, addressing a current staff shortage within the ASI. Previous excavations (1958-1961) revealed a significant Buddhist complex, including a stupa, monastic buildings, and numerous sculptures dating back to the 5th to 13th centuries AD. This new phase will involve clearing previous excavation trenches and systematically exploring the site. Officials are hopeful that the renewed effort will significantly enhance understanding of Odisha’s rich Buddhist heritage.
First Piper 