The Archaeological Museum at Ratnagiri is one of the important site museums of Odisha India. The museum consists of four galleries with a long stepped corridor displaying art objects and antiquities, mainly related to Buddhism, ranging from the 5th to the 13th century AD. The majority of these antiquities especially the elegant stone and bronze sculptures belong to the tantric Buddhist Vajrayana sect.
In the first gallery Buddha in various poses, Avalokitesvara, Khasarpana, Lokesvara, Manjusri, Tara, one six armed deities all belonging to the 9th to 11th century AD.
The second gallery includes stone sculptures of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Jambhala, Tara in various poses, Vasundhara, Chunda, a woman in dancing posture, Buddha in bhumisparsha-mudra seated on visvapadma, etc.,
The third gallery has been organized with images of Buddha, Stupas, Bodhisattva, Maitreya, and some other Vajrayana deities.
The fourth gallery exhibits miscellaneous objects which include terracotta objects, seals and sealings, ivory objects, inscribed copper plates, potsherds and relic pots, objects of daily use, etc. The attraction of this gallery is the bronze images of Manjushri, Yamari, etc.
Swagatam – Welcome to Orissa, the essence of Incredible India ! ! Located on the east coast, Orissa, also known as The Soul of India, is a mystical land where the hoary past and the modern today form a harmonious blend. A land filled with awe-inspiring monuments, thousands of master craftsmen and artists, numerous wildlife sanctuaries, and stunning natural landscapes.
Ratnagiri
Keeping given this backdrop, it is important to point out here that Ratnagiri ‘hills of jewels’, is an isolated low hill of khondalite formation of the Assia range in the Jajpur district of Orissa. It is surrounded by three rivers, the Brahmani, the Kimiria, and the Birupa and their offshoots. The major part of the habitation of the present village of Ratnagiri has cropped up on the southern and contiguous portions of the eastern and western slopes of the hill.
In the bird’s eye view, Ratnagiri is 52km northeast of Cuttack, 21 km south of Jajpur, and 100km from Bhubaneswar. The top of the hill affording a panoramic view of the surroundings was chosen for the Buddhist establishment rightly on account of its isolated eminence which could attract the attention of the people from the countryside far and near. It is also not unlikely that the ruling princess made land grants to the monastic establishment to meet the necessities of the inmates and the expenses for ritualistic worship.
Tourist Facilities, Transportation, Tourist Attractions, How to Reach, Accessibility
Opening Time
Khandadhar Nature Camp’s open timing is Monday to Sunday 10:00 am to Evening 5:00 pm.
Archaeological Museum Ideal Time to visit
The Ideal time to visit the Archaeological Museum is from November to February and the Winter Season
Closest Bus Stand & Distance for Archaeological Museum
The Closest Bus stop is Ratnagiri, Which is around 56 km from the Archaeological Museum
Closest Railway Station & Distance
The Closest Railway Station is Jajpur Road, Which is around 56 km from the Archaeological Museum
Closest Airport & Distance
The Closest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, Which is around 92 km from the Archaeological Museum
