Stone images and sculptures of Buddha found at Asiha hillock. Telegraph pictures

Paradip, Jan. 29: Researchers have made a chance-discovery of antique Buddhist sculptures, which are believed to be from the 11th century, lying abandoned on a cattle grazing ground in a remote village, about 50km from here.

The monolithic sculptures lying deserted are of tantric Buddhist divinities and dates back to 11th century.

According Buddhist researcher Harish Chandra Prusty, the remains of Buddhist sculptures, stone images and stone slabs with inscription were found near Asiha hillock at Majhipada village near the famous Buddhist site at Udayagiri.

“The antique pieces are lying deserted and are falling apart. They may have been vandalised by the local residents since they are not aware of their antique value. The archaeologists should take up the conservation of these Buddhist treasures,” he said.

The stone-cut sculptures have striking similarities to the ones unearthed and preserved in Buddhist heritage sites of Udaygiri and Langudi in Jajpur district, he said.

“The sculptures and stone-cut images are in monolithic form. These are Buddhist divinities of tantric cult. The stone inscriptions on a pillar-like structure bear resemblance to the Brahmi script.

A rare Padmapani Boddhistwa image, another stone image of four-armed Oddiyan Kurukula and a presiding deity holding lotus and bow and arrow have also been found,” added Prusti.

In his view, the sculptures date back to the 11th century when Bhaumakara dynasty ruled the then Kalingan Empire. Buddhism flourished under Bhaumakaras and Somvamshis during the 7th to 11th century.

The site is not far from the famous Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udaygiri Buddhist heritage sites now protected by Archaeological Survey of India.

There are innumerable sites in both Kendrapara and Jajpur district having immense treasures of Buddhist heritage and legacy. But these places are still lying unexplored.

There are many unprotected antique Buddhist idols and sculptures in these parts of the state. Vagaries of nature have cast a spell on them. There are visible signs of wear and tear on them. It’s high time that the government agencies take up the conservation of unprotected antique structures.