1300 Yrs Old Buddhist Stupa Discovered at Khondalite Stone Mining Site in Jajpur

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stumbled upon a 1300-year-old Buddhist Stupa of the Bhaumakara dynasty at a mining site in Jajpur district. This Stupa of 4.5 metre height was unearthed at a Khandolite mining site at Parabhadi in Sukhuapada hamlet in Jajpur district.

ASI has initiated steps to preserve the discovered monastery. It is alleged that remnants of another Stupa of a smaller size were completely destroyed in the same area during unauthorized mining operations.

The Khondalite stones were being mined from this site in the Jajpur district by the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) for the beautification of the surroundings of 12th Century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme.

Following the discovery of the Stupa, the government stopped the mining operation in the area. The famous Lalitgiri Buddhist monastery complex, which is an ASI-protected site, is located nearby.