Kendrapada: State govt, with the help of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Union ministry of culture, is seeking Unesco World Heritage status for the Buddhist sites of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri in Jajpur district, known as ‘Diamond Triangle’, deputy chief minister Pravati Parida announced on Wednesday.Speaking on the third day of the Second International Guru Padmasambhava Buddhist conference at Udayagiri, Parida said the govt has also proposed reviving Pushpagiri university, which was once a prominent educational centre like Nalanda. The university, which was operational from 2nd to 11th century CE, was spread across Langudi, Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri hills. It was visited by scholars like Chinese traveller Xuanzang. “We hope the Union govt will soon give nod for the proposed project,” said Parida.“To boost tourism, the state is planning new infrastructure developments at the Buddhist sites. Excavations have revealed numerous Buddha images, stupas and monasteries, showcasing the region’s rich Buddhist heritage and artistic excellence,” she added.The conference, attended by about 2,000 scholars, monks, and delegates from 22 countries, highlighted the significance of Guru Padmasambhava, considered the ‘second Buddha’ from Sambal (Sambalpur). Wangmo Dixey, executive director of Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International (LBDFI), said that Tibetan texts mention ‘Oddiyana’ as a major centre of Mahayana Buddhism.“The message that Buddha gave more than 2,600 years ago shed its light not only on India or Asia but the whole world,” said minister for higher education, sports & youth services Suryabanshi Suraj. Director of tourism, Dipankar Mohapatra, Jajpur collector Ambar Kumar Kar, Barachana MLA Amar Kumar Nayak, among others, spoke.
